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SHEEP HUSBANDRY 



J^ "W O I^ HC 



PREPARED FOR 



THE FARMERS OF TEIESSEE. 



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J. B. KILLEBREW, A. M., Ph. D., 

v\ . 

Commissioner of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines for the State of Tennessee, 



NASHVILLE, TENN.: 

Tavel, Eastman & Howell. 
1880. 



.K5 



To His Excellency, Gov. A. S. Marks: 

The numerous enquiries which I have received, asking 
for information pertaining to the capabilities of the State 
for sheep husbandry, have induced me to prepare the 
following pages. I am indebted to my former clerk. 
Major H. N. Caldwell, for much valuable aid in the 
preparation of the volume; also to Dr. W. M. Clark 
and to B. M. Hord, both of whom have contributed 
largely to the work. All the best American authors, 
Hays, Stewart and Randall, as well as the best European 
writers on this subject, have been freely consulted, but 
the most useful part of the work has been derived from 
the observation, experience, and practice of our own 
flock-masters, who have no superiors in this or any 
other country. Their intelligent management has been 
recognized and approved in the best sheep growing dis- 
tricts of Europe, and their experience furnishes a jnine 
of valuable information, which cannot be disregarded 
with impunity by those entering the business in our 
State. Trusting that the work may aid in the further- 
ing of an industry which is both a pleasure and a 
necessity to civilized man, I have the honor to be, 

Very truly, 

J. B. KILLEBREW. 

February 20, 1880. 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY, 



CHAPTER I. 



HISTORY AND GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT. 

The question as to the capability of Tennessee as a sheep 
growing section has long been settled, and, therefore, it is 
unnecessary to bring forward any arguments on the subject. 
Not only is this State well calculated to make sheep hus- 
bandry profitable, but it has claims in an especial degree 
that are not possessed by any other States of our Union. 
This industry has of late years received an impetus not 
hitherto known, from the introduction of a system of rail- 
roads all over the United States. Before their general con- 
struction lambs could be bought at any time for one dollar 
apiece, in fact, the farmer considered himself amply re- 
remunerated if he secured that price. Now, the great 
markets of New York, Boston, Philadelphia, and, in fact, 
all the northern and eastern cities, from Louisville and 
Cincinnati to St. Paul and Portland, in Maine, draw their 
early lambs from the more genial climes of the South, and 
so great is the competition that the farmer who has large 
fat lambs to sell in May or the first of June can get from 
three to four dollars apiece. Nor does the market cease 
with the early ones, but extends through the entire summer 
for all grades of lambs, and later for fat ewes and wethers. 



[6] 

This stimulus has acted so strongly upon sheep raising that 
no farmer should, or does, think his farm stocked without 
a flock of sheep ranging from a score or two to several 
thousand, according to the capacity of the farm or range. 
And not only has it shown itself in the increased numbers 
raised, but it has acted in a wonderful manner in improving 
the stock or character of the sheep. 

But few animals can show a greater diversity of character 
than sheep. This difference is shown in color, size, shape, 
length and texture of wool, etc, nor does any animal what- 
ever occupy a larger territory, living everywhere that man 
does on the habitable globe. They are found on the bleak 
mountain sides of Greenland, and on the broad deserts of 
Africa. Nor does this great diversity cease in these par- 
ticulars, for no domestic or wild animal is capable of exist- 
ing on more different sorts of food. Weeds, grasses, shrubs, 
roots, cereals, leaves, barks, and even, in times of scarcity, 
fish and meats, all furnish a subsistence to this wonderful 
animal. They will, in the great pine forests of Norway 
and Sweden, subsist upon the pungent resinous evergreens 
through a hard winter, such as are unknown to this latitude. 
The cultivated grasses of the temperate zones, clover, and 
the ceerals are, as a matter of course, the best food for them, 
but in the absence of these they will gnaw the barks and 
crop the leaves of the forests. Among the Laplanders, 
when all other kinds of food fail, they will eat the dried 
fish of those people, or the half rotten flesh of the walrus;, 
or, in cases of extreme destitution, they will eat the very 
wool off each other's backs. 

The sizes of sheep are as various as the kinds of food 
they live upon. In the Orkney Islands they are so small 
as to appear like toys. Like the diminutive ponies of the 
Shetlands, neighbors of the Orkneys, they are brought to 
the warmer climates as a curiosity. By the side of the 
massive Cotswold or Southdown they appear very little like 
the same species. Some have long, tapering, straight horns,. 



[7] 

like the gazelle^ while others have the huge spiral horns of 
the mountain, or big horns of the Osage Mountains. 
Others, again, are without horns altogether, as are most of 
mutton sheep. 

The same diflPerence exists in regard to the tails. They 
have long, slender, vibrating tails, a broad, flat tail like 
those of Asia, or no tail at all, only a rudiment of one being 
discernable. In some countries the tail attains a weight of 
from seven to twelve pounds, and is considered a great 
delicacy. 

And thus with the covering. It hardly seems possible 
to connect the straight, hairy fleece of the Rocky Mountain 
sheep and the long, combing wool of the Leicester or Cots- 
wold, in the same animal. In Madagascar the sheep have 
short, hairy wool, hardly to be considered wool at all. In 
Lincolnshire it is long and coarse. In Saxony it is almost 
like silk, fine, curly, and lustrous. In Angola it is furry 
and soft as a rabbit's fur. Nor does the diversity stop here. 
In our own country we meet with the white and black 
sheep. About the Cape of Good Hope they are gray, dun, 
brown, buff, blue, and all intermediate shades of color. 
This great difference of color results from long breeding 
under many different climates and modes of feeding. 

The uses to which these animals are applied seem to par- 
take of the great diversity of their characteristics. The meat 
forms one of the standard dishes of the world. For 
luscious juiciness, ease of digestion, and delicacy of flavor 
it has no equal. Agreeable alike to the invalid and to the 
laborer, it is eagerly sought by all classes. Nor is its flesh 
the only thing about it that forms a diet of man. Some 
nations use, to a large extent, the milk of sheep as well as of 
cows and goats. Excellent cheese is manufactured from it, 
and its use is thought by some physicians to be a specific 
diet in obstinate cases of dyspepsia. Even the wool is con- 
sidered a choice dish by some of the Highland clans of 
Scotland. They scorch it to a crisp brownness, and eat it 



L8] 

with great relish. The use of ewe's milk in preparing 
cheese, butter, and curd is alluded to in the Book of Job. 
The writers of profane history often speak of ewe's milk. 
The ewe's milk cheese has a sharp, strong taste, that, like 
Limberg cheese, commends itself to the taste of many 
people. It is often mixed with cow's milk in the manufac- 
ture of some brands of cheese, to give it a tartness not 
given by cow's milk alone. The butter is a pale yellow, 
less firm than cow's butter, and becomes rancid much 
quicker. The milk is thicker than cow's milk, but in other 
respects resembles it very much, both in taste and appear- 
ance. 

The nomadic tribes of Asia live almost exclusively on the 
flesh of sheep, and when a patriarch assembles his family to 
the one meal of the day, it is generally around a large tray 
containing a single sheep, which serves them for meat and 
bread. That country is the birthplace of the sheep, as it 
was for man, and nearly all domestic animals. It is the 
first animal that is spoken of in sacred writ as being kept 
by man, and Abel, the twin brother of Cain, found favor in 
the sight of God by offering up the firstlings of his flock, 
far above the fruits of the earth that were brought by his 
brother. It is often spoken of throughout the Scriptures, 
and was the favorite sacrifice to Deity, and has in all ages 
been esteemed the emblera of purity and innocence. Our 
Saviour is called the "Lamb of God," and the "Good 
Shepherd," giving a dignity to the position not vouchsafed 
to any other vocation. 

Abraham, the father of the Jewish race, was a notable 
shepherd, as were all the patriarchs of those days, and 
Rachel, the beautiful daughter of Laban, and the mother of 
Joseph, thought it no degradation to attend to her father's 
flocks. Jacob, through a knowledge of physiology above 
his contemporaries, was able to carry off a large portion of 
the flocks of his father-in-law, and became a very wealthy 
shepherd. It was while tending the flocks of Jacob that 



[9] 

Joseph was stolen and sold to the Egyptians by his brethren. 
Job was also a great and rich man of those early times, 
being the owner of 14^000 sheep, besides other animals. 
This was, too, only about eight hundred years after the 
deluge, so that it is known that sheep were then, as now, 
very prolific, unless he owned all the sheep of the age. 
Moses, the great lawgiver, soldier, and prophet, did not dis- 
claim to tend the flocks of Jethro in the desert of Midian, 
and still later the sweet singer of Israel, David, the greatest 
King of the Jews, kept his father's sheep. 

It was to shepherds that the glad tidings of our Saviour's 
birth were first made known. While in the fields or range, 
at night, watching the sheep, the glorious company of 
angels appeared to them, striking their harps, and announc- 
ing to them the long looked for message of " Glad tidings 
of great joy," the Saviour is born unto the world. So 
profound was the joy, they left their flocks, and led by a 
star seDt to them, were guided to the holy spot. Kings and 
princes prided themselves in the numbers and vastness of 
their flocks, and the shepherd kings of a later date attained 
great power. Among them Genghis ^han, Tamerlane, 
Kubler Khan, and others have attained an everlasting fame 
as great conquerors of the world. 

We do not have to confine ourselves to the records of 
holy writ for examples of sheep husbandry. The profune 
authors. Homer, Horace, Virgil, Herodotus, Plato, and, in 
fact, all of the great writers of antiquity, speak in endearing 
terms of sheep. Some of the most delightful pastoral 
poems of Virgil picture the shepherd watching the sheep 
and delighting his love with the music of the reeds. The 
artists, too, have vied with one another in depicting upon 
the canvass agricultural scenes in which the never failing 
man sits with crook in hand and sheep around. 

In the Middle Ages the improvement of sheep seems 
first to have been thought possible. The Asiatics raised 
them solely or nearly so for food, the warmth of the climate 



[10] 

making their wool a secondary consideration. When used 
by the ancients it was as often worn on the skin as other- 
wise, though^ there were exceptions to the rule. We all 
have read of the Syrian soldiers with their sheepskin coats, 
and the shoes of the more northern tribes were made of the 
skin with the wool turned in. Penelope kept her lovers at 
bay during the prolonged absence of her husband Ulysses 
by unraveling at night the woolen embroidery she had 
completed in the day, having promised her hand to one 
when she should finish it, and the language could not ex- 
press the admiration of the poet at the many beautiful 
colors of her yarns. The reader is familiar with the loveli- 
ness and grandeur of the royal Tyrian purple that was im- 
parted to the tunics which could only be transferred to 
woolen fabrics. 

Spain and Portugal, however, are entitled to the credit of 
having made the first successful effort to improve the breeds 
of sheep with reference to the wool. Those countries are 
well and peculiarly adapted to the culture and raising of 
sheep. For the most part they are broken and mountainous, 
and abound with rich pasturage. The wealthy nobles of 
those feudal countries, too, derived a large portion of their 
income from the sales of sheep and wools. They did not 
condescend, however, to manufacture the wool into goods, 
but delegated that branch to Flanders, which was for many- 
centuries connected, by royal marriages, to the same govern- 
ment. The merchants of the latter country were an indus- 
trious and enterprising people, and the lands not being suffi- 
cient to support its teeming population, they t)uilt many 
woolen mills, as well as other manufactories, and absorbed 
the wools of not only Spain, Portugal, and France, but ab- 
solutely bought up all the wool of England, made it into 
cloth, and then, returning it to where it was grown, sold it 
to the owners of the flocks at an enormous profit. These 
merchants made so much discrimination in the varieties of 
wool, the farmers began to try to improve the character of 



[11] 

the sheep. The celebrated Merino existed at that time in 
Spain, though the breed has been greatly improved since. 

The portion of Spain resting on the Mediterranean Sea 
was inhabited by colonists, or rather the descendants of 
colonists from Greece. It is supposed that the expedition 
of the Argonauts, who were Greeks, to Colchis, in search of 
the Golden Fleece, was really an expedition in search of a 
breed of sheep whose wool was so excellent, and so highly 
prized, that it was termed the Golden Fleece. They re- 
turned with it, as is told by the poet, and thus Greece be- 
came the owner of the best sheep then known. When 
Spain was settled, it is natural to suppose they brought their 
flocks with them. At, all events, it is certain that the breeds 
of sheep running on the slopes of the Pyrennees are iden- 
tical with those of the Poloponessus. On the southern 
coast of Italy some of these sheep had in all probability 
been dropped by the Greek emigrants, and they had attained 
a great reputation in the times of Augustus. They were 
called Tarentine sheep, from Tarentura, the capital of 
Apulia, the province of Italy, where they were raised. 
Columella, a very rich Roman, emigrated to Spain in the 
year 30 A. D., and carried some of the Tarentine sheep with 
him, thus giving a cross to those already there. Some of 
the same breed were carried to Saxony, and by constant 
inbreeding they procured a wool of exceeding fine texture, 
but in other respects preserved the same distinguishing 
characteristics of the Merino. This breed differ in many 
respects from the common sheep. The wool is not long, 
but is closely curled, and matted with an exudation from 
the skin of the sheep called yolk, that closes it on the ex- 
ternal surface, preserving it from trash and dirt. They will 
also retain the fleece for four or five years unshorn, while 
the common sheep will, if not sheared, shed the wool an- 
nually. The common sheep have little or no wool on the 
legs, belly, or head, but the Merino will carry a full fleece 
all over its surface. Let the Merino be carried to whatever 



[12] 

country it preserves all its distinguishing marks, provided 
it receives a sufficient amount of provision and attention. 
It also has a tenderness and juiciness far in advance of 
many others. 

When the southern parts of Spain fell into the hands of the 
Moors, the change of masters was rather beneficial than 
otherwise to the immense flocks of sheep in that rich 
country, for the Moors were enterprising, and established 
many factories for the production of fine woolen fabrics, 
which they sold to surrounding nations. After their expul- 
sion by Ferdinand and Isabella, the Spanish grandees 
sedulously preserved and zealously fostered the herds and 
factories, knowing the riches that followed the industry. 
So greatly were they appreciated that no sheep were allowed 
to be exported except by royal consent. 

Henry VIII., however, obtained permission from Charles 
V. to carry some into England, and he succeeded in getting 
about three thousand into England, which, mixed with the 
common breeds already there in scant numbers, gave rise to 
the many excellent crosses now known as Leicester, Cots- 
wold, Southdown, Rye-land, and some others. This sover- 
eign gave great encouragement to sheep growing, throwing 
around it all the protection he could by law, preventing the 
exportation of wool, which had hitherto all found its way 
into Flanders for its manufactories. He so fostered it that 
by him and succeeding kings the sheep interest has increased 
from a few thousand long legged, ragged, coarse- wool sheep 
to over 60,000,000 at the present time. 

As an evidence of the profitable character of sheep hus- 
bandry, it has been remarked that wherever a shepherd 
takes possession of a country with his flocks there they re- 
main. When the Romans, under Coriolanus, and other 
leaders, conquered Spain, these fine breeds of sheep were 
all over the country, and Spain has ever since, until within 
a few years, maintained its pre-eminence as a sheep growing 
country, though, from political disturbances, and other ad- 



[13] 

ventitious (3ircuiristances, it has lost its position : but it yet 
retains much of its ancient fame as a sheep growing country. 
This fact should be borne in mind by the people of Tennes- 
see in engaging in this important branch of husbandry. 

While the mania for sheep growing and improvement of 
wool was at its height, more care was bestowed upon the 
animals than we can conceive possible in this age. The 
sheep were closely watched, and the choicest specinaeos were 
selected and housed. Sacks were sewn on their bodies. 
Besides, the fleeces were washed in wine, and frequently 
combed so as to secure the finest specimens of wool. This 
course, persevered in for several generations, produced its 
inevitable result. The fleece was greatly improved in tex- 
ture, fineness, and softness, but it was done at the expense 
of the constitution of the sheep, which was greatly impaired 
thereby. They became less robust, smaller in size; but 
they little recked upon the carcass, which they only con- 
sidered as a vehicle to carry the fleece. It is only in recent 
times that attention has been directed to an improvement of 
the body as well as the fleece, its popularity as an article of 
food having grown at a great rate for the last few centuries. 
It is only in thinly settled countries now that sheep are 
grown for the wool alone, its mutton being of as much or 
more consideration than wool in the thickly settled portions 
of the world. The choice of breeds becomes of more or 
less consequence according to the proximity or distance from 
the point of consumption, and, in fact, this has given rise to 
the creation of new varieties to suit the demand. So the 
necessities of sheep breeders have modified to a great extent 
the system of agriculture, so that, while the improvement 
in the character of the sheep has become well marked, the 
method of agriculture has kept pace, showing itself in the 
increased richness of the soil, and an increase of its produc- 
tiveness. In this way profitable sheep husbandry is synony- 
mous with profitable farming. But this improvement of the 
soil relates only to the mutton raisers. If the sheep are 



[14] 

reared only for wool, they have a wide range, scattering 
their odure over the hills, where it remains on the surface 
until washed off by rains. 

The big, heavy mutton sheep, however, are fed in enclo- 
sures for the purpose of fattening, with rich food of grain^ 
oil-cake, meats, roots, and luxurious pastures, and to pro- 
cure these kinds of food the farmer is compelled to resort 
to the most approved system of tillage, using manures with 
a free hand, and this plan naturally gives life to the soil. 
Besides, the droppings of the sheep fed so freely are rich 
in nitrogenous substances, and being plowed under the soil, 
soon acquire a surprising degree of fertility. Thus, we say, 
good sheep raising makes good farms, and the husbandman 
makes his farm and himself rich. 

The demand for mutton has already been noticed. It is 
steadily on the increase. Twenty per cent, more mutton has 
been consumed as an article of food in the United States 
since 1876, up to September, 1879, than for any years pre- 
ceding. One city alone. New York, uses nearly a million 
and a half of sheep annually. Add this consumption to 
that of all the other populous cities of the United States, 
and we can form some idea of the vast number of sheep 
eaten as food every year. And now that the carriage of 
live animals to Europe has become a success, we may expect 
to see almost every steamship that goes over carry a large 
cargo of early lambs. Within the past three decades pork 
was the universal food of the country, lamb and beef 
coming in at rare intervals as a luxury. Now it is almost 
reversed, and the ordinary diet of the community, especially 
of all towns and cities, consists of beef and mutton. Owing 
to this cause the rearing of sheep for mutton alone is be- 
coming more and more a prominent feature in agriculture. 

We have no native mutton sheep in this country; in fact, 
the attention of the farming community has been directed 
to it for so short a time, new varieties have not yet been 
originated. The native sheep of the United States consist 



[15] 

of a mixture of all sorts and kinds, and they are constantly, 
for want of cultivated attention, deteriorating, being long 
legged, thin io the flank, suited rather to the fleetness 
necessary for protection than to the fatness suited for the 
table. 

It is true, we have a considerable emulation among 
farmers of late years in the improvement of sheep, and the 
small farms throughout the State have one or more of fine 
sheep, such as the Cotswold, Merino, Southdown, or 
Leicester, but these are kept for breeding purposes alone, 
and rarely ever go to the table. For this reason we in Ten- 
nessee cannot expect to realize the highest prices, such as 
are paid to the breeders of Canada, where attention to the 
improvement of sheep began at an earlier period. Still, 
the Canada farmers cannot supply the great demand, and 
ours, though inferior, are taken perforce. If our farmers 
could once realize the high prices, from seven to ten dollars, 
paid for the full blooded mutton sheep, then certainly there 
would be given a very salutary influence to the business. 

The demand does not extend alone to very heavy fat 
sheep. There are varieties of tastes, and to satisfy these 
different sheep are required. Some want the heavy leg, or 
shoulders, of the Cotswold, weighing from eighteen to 
twenty pounds, while others prefer the more delicate breeds, 
that do not grow half the size of the former. This fact is 
not generally known to farmers, consequently they cannot 
avail themselves of the advantages offered. In order to 
make it more profitable, farmers must study and understand 
the character of sheep needed, and the best methods of pre- 
paring them for the market, and then they may expect to 
derive full remuneration. 

In order to do this the farmer must acquire a knowledge 
of the best breeds, the soil best adapted for their growth, 
the nature of the food best calculated to promote a quick 
growth, and the cheapest manner of producing that food. 
It is far better to thoroughly understand these matters than 



[16] 

to know the early history and origfin of sheep. Sheep 
raising for mutton possesses one important advantage not 
pertaining to the grower of other kinds of meat. Besides 
affording the most healthful and delicious food, the cover- 
ing of the sheep enters largely into the necessities of the 
world. When the citizens of the world clad themselves in 
the skins of animals, wool did not pos-ess the value now 
attached to it. There are now about 30,000,000 of sheep 
in the United States, or, at least, there were at the last 
census. These produced about 100,000,000 pounds of wool; 
but so great is the demand for clothing that it required fully 
$40,000,000 worth of wool more than the home production, 
which had to be imported from other countries. Nor is this 
all. There are annually brought from Europe $20,000,000 
worth of woolen goods, which represents that amount of 
labor that could be done here as well as abroad. So the 
necessity of increasing our wool growth is apparent to every 
one. If the growth of sheep was equal to our home con- 
sumption, we would reserve the large amount of $60,000,000 
to be distributed among our own workmen. The increased 
number of sheep would consume a large surplus of our 
crops that now waste for want of a market, thus increasing 
the value of the crops that remain unconsumed. Still 
further. We have too many men engaged in agriculture. 
They are in too much competition with each other to make 
their work profitable. To mal^e up this large amount of 
woolen goods would draw a great many persons from the 
farms to the factories, and thus the agricultural products 
would be increased in value, for the workmen would have 
to be fed as well as the sheep. Thus it is seen that all the 
laws of political economy demand an increase in the flocks 
of the country. 

The next question that arises, is, can we profitably increase 
this business in Tennessee? This question is answered in 
the most eloquent manner by the vast pastures that annually 
throw up their rich carpet of herbage, and not being appro- 



[17] 

priated, it falls down and is lost to the world. Look at the 
fertile valleys of East Tennessee, where rich crops could be 
produced to feed enormous flocks that are or can be sum- 
mered on the slopes of the surrounding mountains ! See 
the vast plateau that spreads over the top of the Cumber- 
land mountains, rich in all the native grasses, extending 
from Kentucky diagonally to Georgia and Alabama, fully 
fifty miles wide; then, on the foothills, and on the great 
rim of Middle Tennessee, that embraces ^jearly ten thousand 
square miles of Middle Tennessee. Go still farther west, 
and large quantities of the West Tennessee plateau is in its 
primeval condition. The sound of the ax or the greeting of 
the house dog is almost unheard on the Cumberland plateau. 
But herbage, rich and succulent, is there, springing up but 
to wither away. All this and more. Not a single farm in 
the whole State, perhaps, is stocked with sheep to its full 
capacity. There are vast areas of rich pastures, and many 
tons of grain are produced and sold with great labor to the 
consumer, while it could find in the presence of flocks of 
sheep consumers that would pay far more for it than could 
be obtained at the " store." Here, upon these rich farms, 
the heavy mutton sheep, carrying its great hump of comb- 
ing wool, could be most profitably raised. But it demands 
the most careful attention, and cannot be left to chance. 
It is far more profitable than cotton culture, and in- 
volves much less actual labor, though unremitting attention. 
What a vast field opens to the view in this State alone. 
How much actual wealth could be added to the common- 
wealth of Tennessee if every farmer would raise sheep no 
one can comprehend. 

Still, as great as the breadth is, it must not be thought 
that all land is suited for sheep. Quite the reverse is true. 
Fortunately, the larger portion of our State will admit of 
sheep raising in the greatest perfection. Sheep naturally 
belong to mountains, and a broken surface seems to agree 
with them better than a level one. One thing they cannot 
2 



[]81 

stand, and that is wet feet. They require a dry soil, and if 
it is not by nature sufficiently rolling to pass off the surplus 
water of the rainfalls, it must, to agree with them, be made 
so artificially. It would not pay to drain any large body 
of land for the sole purpose of raising sheep, and yet it will 
not pay to keep sheep on swampy lands. Hence the neces- 
sity of avoiding such. There is plenty of land naturally 
suited, having all the requirements necessary, and it is better 
to confine the business to such places. 

Another thing. Do not expect to raise large sheep, or 
large fleeces, on poor pasturage, unless it is assisted by 
liberal feeding. The fleece on poor pastures will be coarse, 
scanty, and be disposed to shed. Another thing. Ewes 
will not bear twins on scant feed. If a flock is on a rich 
pasture the ewes will in a short time begin to double, and 
they will continue to do so as long as the food is generous. 
But change them to a poor scant pasturage and they will at 
once drop back to single lambs. Let it be understood, how- 
ever, when the expression rich herbage is used, it is not 
meant that the heaviest, most luxuriant pastures are the best. 
On the contrary, sheep will do better on short, rich, close 
croped grass than on long grass. It must be rich, but at the 
same time it must be well cut or cropped. 

The best lands for the business abound in our State. 
The soil over primitive rocks, such as granitoid, feldspathic, 
or micaceous, such as is found in upper East Tennessee, are 
well suited for the production of sheep. The sandstone 
soil of the Cumberland table-lands, being dry, and produc- 
ing an abundant herbage, are admirably adapted for sheep 
walks. In fact, all the soils of the State, except such as are 
swampy, are well adapted to the business. But let it be con- 
sidered beforehand thoroughly. Let there be no spasmodic 
effort to make a fortune in a few years. The profits come 
slowly but surely, and when one has once made up his mind 
to make it his life business, his fortune is already assured. 
With proper care and attention a flock will double itself 



[19] 

every three years, and, unlike many other branches of agri- 
culture, it will pay expenses all the time of its growth. No 
chance must be trusted. If allowed, the dogs will destroy 
many, or the lambs will die in severe weather, or from being 
disowned by ewes, or many and various causes. All these 
things can be obviated by strict attention, and the object of 
these pages is to give such directions as will leave nothing 
to chance or luck. A judicious man will control his own 
luck. 

That Tennessee is capable of producing as good sheep as 
any State in the Union will not be questioned, and with 
these preliminary remarks we will proceed with a short 
statistical chapter, showing the growth of the business in 
this and foreign countries. 



[20] 



CHAPTER II. 

STATISTICAL INFORMATION. 

Tennessee has labored under many disadvantages in re- 
gard to sheep raising, and consequently the actual capacity 
of the State has never been tested. In the first place, pre- 
vious to the war between the States, the attention of farmers 
was directed mainly to horses and mules and to the crops 
from the soil, instead of to the production of sheep. The 
work was mainly done by negroes, a large number being 
owned in the State, and the cultivation of cotton, tobacco, 
hemp and corn mainly engaged the attention of farmers. 
But few saw proper even to raise enough wool to make the 
necessary clothing for the population, hence there was an 
actual falling off in sheep from 1850 to 1860. 

What few did engage in the business became greatly dis- 
couraged by the inroads of dogs. Almost every family 
raised dogs; many of the well-to-do farmers owning packs 
of hounds, and no negro considered his outfit complete with- 
out one or more worthless curs. Being half fed in many 
instances, they naturally sought to provide for themselves, 
and the sheep being a remarkably timid animal, running 
from the sight of a dog, they fell an easy prey. Thus it 
was that the flocks of the few who did engage in sheep hus- 
bandry suffered so severely that many abandoned the busi- 
ness in sheer despair. 

At the same time but little effort was made to utilize 
the immense natural pastures with which the State 
abounds. Men thought it too small a business to watch 
constantly the sheep as they roved through the highlands, 
and hence many sheep were totally lost by straying, were 
stolen or were destroyed by wolves, foxes, eagles and vul- 
tures. Although many of the same advantages presented 



[21] 

"themselves then as now, sheep husbandry was not looked 
upon as a paying business, and so, by neglect, it did not 
thrive. Since the war, however, more attention has been 
given the subject, and Tennessee bids fair to become the 
great vfool growing State of the Union. Situated in a tem- 
perate climate, neither too hot nor too cold, she possesses all 
the. natural prerequisites for success, and no doubt will 
achieve great success in this branch of agriculture. 

A notable instance of great success in this branch of stock 
raising is that of Mark R. Cockrill, Esq., of Davidson 
county. About half a century ago he began on a small 
scale the improvement of the native breeds. He imported 
•Saxony and Merino sheep, crossed them with the ewes of 
the country, and sold both full blooded and graded animals. 
He sent his agent traveling through the country exchanging 
his sheep for the common breeds, as Avell as selling them 
for money. To accommodate his increasing flocks he 
bought the hill lands adjoining his farm, and clearing them 
up sowed down to blue grass. Being a shrewd business 
man the enterprise throve apace, and he soon had established 
a character for having the best sheep and the best breeds in 
the State. Nor was he content to excel in Tennessee, for 
when he had exhausted the premiums of his own country he 
sent fleeces to the great London World's Fair, and took the 
highest premiums there offered for wools. What Mr. Cock- 
rill did then can be done now by any enterprising man who 
will give the business his whole attention. 



[22] 



THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF THE SHEEP RAISING 
COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD. 



COTJNTEIES. 



EUROPE. 

Great Britain 

Grerman Empire , 

Austria-Hungary , 

Russia 

France 

Spain ..., 

Portugal 

Italy 

Turkey , 

Greece 

Switzerland , 

Denmark , 

Holland 

Belgium , 

Sweden , 

Norway 

AMERICA 

United States 

Canada 

South America and Mexico, 

ASIA 

AFRICA. 

Northern , 

Cape of Good Hope , 

Australia 

Grand Total 



No. OF 

Sheep. 



Pounds 
or Wool. 



35,000,000 
29,000,000 
21,000,000 
50,000,000 
26,000,000 
22,000,000 

2,750,000 
11,000,000 
15,000,000 

2,600,000 
550,000 

1,900,000 
900,000 
600,000 

1,700.000 

1,750,000 



221,750,000 



36,000,000 

2,000,000 

58,000,000 



218,000,000 

125,000,000 

60,000,000 

138,000,000 

124,000,000 

69,000,000 

16,000,000 

38,000,000 

37,000,000- 

7,500,000 

2,500,000 

8,000,000 

4,500,000 

3,500,000 

6,000,000 

6,250,000 

858,750,000 



185,000,000 

8,000,000 

174,000,000 



96,000,000 350,000,000 



175,000,000 



20,000,000 
12,000,000 



32,000,000 



60,000,000 



584,750,000 



45,000,000 



51,000,000 



96,000,000 



255,000,000 



1,926,750,000 



The following description of the wool zone is taken from 
the United States Agricultural Report: 

" South America, particularly Buenos Ayres, possesses 
great advantages for the cheap production of wool. Labor 



[23] 

is cheap and the population sparse. But the restless and 
predatory character of the population, and the unsettled na- 
ture of the government, constitute no inconsiderable draw- 
backs to this, as to every other branch of industry. 

"Australia is another large sheep producing country, but 
it also has its drawbacks. Professor McCulloch states that 
the bad land in this country bears a much greater proportion 
to the good than in almost any other. It is also subject to 
long continuous droughts, often lasting six months. The 
effects of the drought in 1841 is thus described by Mr. Hood : 
'It will scarcely be believed in England that the estimated 
number of sheep which have died within the last twelve 
months in the colony, from catarrh and drought, is 70,000 ; 
that colonists are compelled, in order to secure the dam 
from starvation, to cut the throat of her lamb ; that no means 
are adopted for securing a stock of lambs for next year, or 
that a stockholder would give 8,000 sheep to any one that 
would remove them from his runs, and finding no one who 
would accept so dangerous a present, had recourse to con- 
suming them by fire.' 

"^The wild and poachy nature of a considerable portion 
of the pasture,' says Mr. Youatt, 'gives the foot rot a pecu- 
liar character, and, if neglected, it becomes inveterate and 
destroys the animal. The scab is a prevalent disease, and 
the convict shepherd, who has a pique against his master^ 
can easily, by bringing his flock in contact with a diseased 
one, subject them to this dangerous and troublesome malady.* 

" ' Epidemics, supposed to be owing to the astringency of 
the water, and some other causes, have, some years, cut off 
half the sheep.' 

"The above extracts are from English writers of reputa- 
tion. 

" In considerable portions of Hungary the climate is fine, 
soil rich and labor cheap. Sheep raising on the large es- 
tates is very profitable, but she lacks facilities for cheap 
transportation. The Danube is her only natural outlet to 



[24] 

her commerce. To reach Trieste a long land carriage is in- 
dispensable. Her exports too are embarrassed by imposts 
and ruinous restrictions of the imperial government. She 
cannot therefore export cheap heavy articles to advantage. 

" In Southern Russia, on the Steppes and in Bessarabia, 
sheep raising is carried on very extensively, some colonists 
owning flocks of 20,000 head. It is the opinion of the 
author that, taking into consideration the cost of land and 
labor, wool can be produced cheaper in Southwestern Russia 
than in Spain, France, Germany, Italy, or any other portion 
of Europe, excepting Hungary. 

" Mexico is also a large wool producing country of a very 
inferior grade, classing with that of Buenos Ayres. A great 
deal finds its way to the United States through Texas. 

''As has been remarked, the United States probably pos- 
sesses half the cheap fertile lands included in the wool zone 
throughout the world. Nearly her entire territory lies 
within it. Experience has amply proved that sheep are 
healthy in every portion of the United States. The terrible 
drought and predisposition to certain diseases encountered 
by the Australian flock-master, the comparative insecurity 
of property in Buenos Ayres, the climatic vicissitudes of 
Southern Russia, (with the exception of the comparatively 
small peninsula of Tanrida), are none of them known in our 
most lavored wool growing regions. Land is cheaper here 
and more fertile, and much nearer the great wool niarkets 
of the world than in Australia. Our lands are probably as 
cheap as those of Hungary and Southern Russia, and for a 
long series ol years to come, will be practicably as cheap as 
those of Buenos Ayres, because the purchase of only a quar- 
ter section (80 acres) of government lands will give the pos- 
sessor the use of all contiguous ones until they are occupied. 

"Under all the above circumstances, we ought to compete 
successfully with South America, Hungary and Southern 
Russia in external markets, to undersell Australia in these 
markets, and with the discrimination of our tariff of duties 



[25] 

against them, to drive all foreign wools from our own mar- 
kets." 

Lest some may think that the business in time may be 
overdone, when it will be no longer profitable to grow wool, 
I subjoin a careful calculation copied from the Patent Office 
reports, showing the amount of wool which will be required 
to clothe the people of this country : 

"The annual consumption of the entire population 
of the United States is estimated at six pounds per 
head ; to place the estimates which follow certainly within 
the bounds of truth, we will assume the average at four 
pounds, 

" By the first six censuses the increase of population was 
three per cent, per year, annually compounded would double 
it in twenty-three years and one hundred and sixty-four 
days. * * * Estimating the rate of increase from 
1840 to 1890 at three per cent., which would double the 
population as above stated, and after 1890 at two per cent., 
which would double it in about twenty-six years, the follow- 
ing would be our population at the periods indicated, and 
the amount of wool which, according to the previous esti- 
mate, would be necessary for their consumption : 



YEAR. 


POPULATION. 


POUNDS OF M^OOU 


1863-4 


34,136,906 


136,555,624 


1886-7 


68,277,812 


273,111,248 


1925 


136,555,624 


546,222,496 


1963 


273,111,248 


1,092,444,992 



"Thus in one hundred and twelve years our population 
is likely to outnumber the present one of Europe, and our 
annual consumption of wool to exceed onp billion and nine- 
ty-two millions of pounds. Assuming that sheep average 
two pounds of wool per head, it will require over 364,000,- 
000 of sheep to supply the demand. The States south of 
the Potomac and Ohio, east of the Mississippi, containing 
450,000 square miles, would support all there at a trifle over 
one and one-fourth sheep to the acre." 



[26] 



AMOUNT AND VALUE OF WOOLENS AND WOOL IMPOETED 
FROM FOREIGN COUNTRIES. 



Years. 


Woolens. 


Wool. 


Value. 


Pounds. 


Value. 


Cents per 
pounds. 


1861 


$28,261,039 


36,000,000 


$ 4,961,326 


13.7 


1862 


14,884,394 


43,571,026 


6,994,604 


16. 


1863 


20,411,025 


73,897,807 


12,553,931 


16.9 


1864 


32,139,336 


90,396,104 


15,923,991 


17.6 


1865 


20,347,563 


43,858,154 


7,728,383 


17.6 


1866 


57,115,901 


67,917,031 


9,381,083 


13.8 


1867 


45,813,212 


36,318,299 


5,915,178 


16. 


1868 


32,371,329 


24,124,803 


3,792,659 


15.7 


1869 


34,560,324 


39,275,926 


5,600,958 


14.2 


1870 


34,435,623 


49,250,199 


6,743,350 


13.6 


1871 


43,751,973 


68,058,028 


9,780,443 


14.3 


1872 


52,176,260 


122,256,499 


26,214,195 


21.5 


1873 


50,875,805 


85,496,049 


20,433,938 


23.9 


1874 


46,732,032 


42,939,541 


8,250,306 


19.2 


1875 


44,440,940 


54,903,654 


11,069,901 


20.1 



FROM WHENCE IMPORTED. 



Yeaes. 


Great 
Eritain. 


South 
Africa. 


Australia, 


Argentine 
Republic 


Hungary. 


1862 
1863 
1864 
1865 
1866 
1867 
1868 


Pounds. 

16,006,963 

17,619,123 

13,099,501 

1,980,176 

8,541,195 

6,758,820 

2,581,678 

8,598,299 

8,140,697 

15,593,166 

40,250,449 

19,040,920 

7,966,382 


Pounds. 

3,920,257 

6,711,975 

13,717,900 

8,312,768 

7,424,217 

2,033,020 

964,314 

2,644,504 

5,089,153 

6,699,057 

14,820,876 

12,830,858 

4,622,273 


Pounds. 

783,670 
118,234 
864,548 
408,592 
874,119 
467,025 


Pounds. 

5,786,868 
17,461,208 
23,951,506 
16,103,889 
36,916,794 
12,666,274 

5,835,864 

8,249,659 
16,721,420 
23,333.237 
24,731,834 
17,449,563 

8,502,027 


Pounds. 

14,061 

476,815 
3,490,800 
1,164,260 
2,224,629 
1,434,594 

466,712 


1869 
1870 
1871 
1872 
1873 
1874 


168,902' 

19,957 

12,748,548 

7,661,262 

3,905,671 


932,369 
1,547,106 
4,594,238 
7,110,871 
6,110,911 
4,604,275 



"The increase of the average price in recent years, as seen 
in the former table, is explained by the large proportion, as 
shown above, obtained from Great Britain and her colonies, 



[27] 

producing wool of better quality and higher price than that 
of South America. 

"The average supply since 1870 may properly be placed 
at 224,000,000 pounds, of which two-thirds is home grown, 
but the nominal third of the foreign is mostly unwashed 
Merino and low grade carpet wool, constituting not more 
than one-fourth of the value of our wool supply. 

"It is a suggestive and gratifying fact, that while the 
value of our manufactures is about four times as great as in 
1850, the average of imports of woolens of the last five years 
($23,797,698), exceeds but little that of the entire period of 
fifty-five years ($21,191,674), beginning with the very in- 
fancy of this benificent industry. It is particularly note- 
worthy that our imports since 1870 are less by several mil- 
lions annually than for the period between 1850 and I860,, 
notwithstanding the immense increase in the consumption 
of woolen goods." 

Having reviewed the rise and progress of sheep hus- 
bandry in other countries, and other portions of our own, 
we now come to our own highly favored State, Tennessee. 
The formidable array of figures against us may well make 
us stand aghast as in despair of our being able to contend in 
any appreciable degree against such fearful odds, but we 
shall endeavor to show that, though numbers will always be 
against us, there is no reason why we may not rise to a pro- 
portionate value of the grand total. Our favored geograph- 
ical position and climate, and the changed character of the 
requirements of the trade, justify us in this assumption. In 
all the sheep producing countries of the world there are only 
four in which it is practicable to meet these requirements, — 
England, France, Germany and the United States. All 
others are debarred by climate or distance, or other causes,^ 
irom entering into competition with them. This narrows 
the field wonderfully, and enables Tennessee to bear her 
proportion to other parts of the counti-y in the enterprise. 
By these requirements of course we mean the raising of the 



[28] 

improved breeds of medium and long-wooled sheep for both 
wool and mutton. Hapf)ily, we are enabled to state that 
our farmers are already waking up to the importance of this, 
to them, new enterprise, and from the few successful experi- 
ments they have made, are encouraged to continue and to 
extend their operations. At the beginning of the year, we 
issued circulars to all the principal sheep raisers in the State, 
soliciting their view and experience upon the subject. Their 
answers have been most gratifying and satisfactory. They 
are not as full and complete as we could wish, but one and 
oil agree upon the practicability and advantages of the 
change, and propose to increase the number of their flocks 
of improved breeds as fast as their means and opportunities 
will adoait of. The results of these experiments are the 
more gratifying because there are no States south of Ten- 
nessee in which the long wooled mutton sheep can be raised 
advantageously. If there were, they would have no market 
for their surpus lambs and mutton. Tennessee has a good 
market for early spring iambs in St. Louis, Louisville and 
Cincinnati, and as soon as the Northern States begin to ship 
mutton to England as they are now doing beef, she will 
have a good market for all she can spare. 

In 1875 the Commissioner of Agriculture of the State of 
Georgia issued a similar circular addressed to the farmers 
and sheep raisers of Georgia. From the answers received 
he arrives at the following conclusions, viz. : " That the 
cross of the Merino upon the native is the most profitable; 
that the other pure breeds (long wooled sheep) have proved 
to be unhealthy. Sheep are not housed in winter, but al- 
lowed to run at large during the whole year. The annual 
cost of keeping sheep is about fifty-three cents. Lambs 
sold to the butcher at f 1.87, mutton sheep $2.75. Dogs 
very destructive. Census estimate of the number of sheep 
in 1870, 419,465; present estimate 319,323, a decrease from 
1870 to 1875 of 100,142.' 

The census returns of 1870 give the total number of 



[29] 

sheep in Tennessee, 826,783. The present estimated number 
is over 1,000,000. A new impetus has been given to the 
business within the past five or six years by the introduction 
of the improved breeds. The replies to our circulars show 
a growing interest among our farmers in regard to them. 
Their favorite breeds are the Southdowns and Cotswold ; the 
first cross of either upon the native ^ scrub' shows a marked 
improvement. The third cross, particularly with the South- 
down, is scarcely distinguishable from the pure breed. The 
Southdown is regarded as rather the hardier sheep. Those 
situated convenient to railroads realize $4 to $4.50 for their 
spring lambs, and obtain from 40 to 70 cents for their wool 
when sent to the eastern markets. Common sheep average 
three pounds of wool, improved breeds six to eight pounds. 
They report no diseases among their improved breeds. 
They regard the climate favorable for them. No improved 
system of feeding has yet been generally adopted. The 
number of sheep kept by individual farmers range from 
fifty to five hundred head. Those who sell their sheep and 
mutton at home do not realize remunerative prices. Native 
sheep bring from $1.50 to $2 per head. Wool 20 to 25 
cents, unwashed. Cost of raising wool ranges from 5 to 
10 cents per pound, cost of keeping sheep 50 to 75 cents per 
annum. All complain bitterly of the repeal of the dog law, 
many proposing to engage in the business have abandoned 
the idea in consequence. Estimated loss by dogs -from 3 
to 10 per cent. See Appendix for more precise details as to 
sheep husbandry in each county. 



[30] 
NUMBER OF SHEEP IN TENNESSEE. 



CUUNTY. 



No. IN 

1860. 



No. IN 

1870. 



County. 



No. IN 

1860. 



No. IN 

1870. 



Anderson ... 

Bedford 

Benton 

Bledsoe 

Blount 

Bradley 

Campbell.... 

Cannon 

Carroll 

Carter 

Cheatham ... 

Claiborne 

Cocke 

Coffee 

Cumberland 
Davidson ... 

Decatur 

DeKalb .. .. 

Dickson 

Dyer 

Fayette 

Fentress .. .. 

Franklin 

Gibson 

Giles 

Grainger 

Greene 

Grundy 

Hamilton .... 
Hancock .... 
Hardeman... 

Hardin 

Hawkins 

Haywood.... 
Henderson... 

Henry 

Hickman.... 
Humphreys. 

Jackson 

Jefferson 

Johnson 

Knox 

Lake 

Lauderdale 



6,919 

21,375 
6,617 
4,179 

11,097 
7,582 
5,294 
8,506 

10,276 
4,110 
4,367 

10,882 
6,529 
7,125 
2,651 

15,940 
5,8441 
8,093 i 
9,282i 
6,735 

11,269 
4,749 
9,480 

16,822 

15,684 
6,991 

18,826 
2,021 
5,127 
5,254 
7,604 
7,867 

16,881 

11,627 
9,203 

13,824 
8,967 
9,493 

10,479 

13,647 
3,910 

10,329 



2,757 



6,064 

25,204 

7,790 

5,555 

10,828 

9,146 

6,671 

12,198 

10,822 

5,430 

4,825 

9,502 

9,730 

8,107 

4,466 

12,221 

5,649 

11,473 

6,925 

8,831 

3,828 

5,021 

8,820 

14,113 

18,658 

9,797 

21,130 

1,880 

6,741 

7,365 

7,139 

8,044 

16,567 

5,206 

10,168 

10,878 

6,927 

8,937 

15,323 

11,598 

6,004 

13,441 

816 

3,118 



Lawrence .... 

Lewis 

Lincoln 

Macon 

McMinn 

McNairy 

Madison. 

Marion 

Marshall 

Maury 

Meigs 

Monroe 

Montgomery 

Morgan 

Obion 

Overton 

Perry 

Polk 

Putnam 

Rhea 

Roane 

Robertson .... 
Rutherford.. . 

Scott 

Sevier 

Sequachie.... 

Shelby 

Smith 

Stewart 

Sullivan 

Sumner 

Tipton 

Union , 

Van Buren... 

Warren 

Washington . 

Wayne 

Weakley 

White 

Williamson.. 
Wilson 



5,744 

2,587 

19,534 

6,362 

8,999 

8,870 

11,055 

3,437 

14,521 

21,181 

3,674 

10,371 

10,422 

4 938 

6,776 

11,833 

6,878 

3,480 

7,414 

3j557 

12,290 

11,737 

23,133 

4,772 

7,657 

1,774 

7,198 

13,555 

7,178 

14,735 

18,363 

5,417 

5,382 

2,405 

10,702 

12,342 



Total 



10,742 

5,834 

19,142 

21,045 



773,317 



5,520 

1,676 

27,075 

8,175 

3,558 

5,605 

16,218 

21,330 

9,829 

9,865 

4,392 

8,346 

8,015 

4,312 

10,505 

17,293 

5,328 

4,642 

10,460 

5,306 

10,552 

11,146 

17,183 

6,589 

2,972 

9,578 

5,720 

17,591 

8,939 

15,634 

20,421 

4,675 

6,326 

3,247 

12,495 

13,208 

9,674 

13,034 

8,144 

15,226 

24,023 

826,783 



[31] 



CHAPTER III. 



THE ADAPTABILITY OF THE SOIL OF TENNESSEE TO SHEEP 
HUSBANDRY. 

Probably no section of the American Union presents so 
many advantages for the successful raising of sheep as that 
wide stretch of country embraced between the Alleghany 
mountains on the east and the Mississippi river on the west, 
and extending from the thirty-fourth to the forty-second 
parallels of latitude. This includes the very heart of the 
Mississippi Valley, and its diversification of surface, great 
variety of soils, and genial climate ensure the success- 
ful growth of all the more nutritious grasses. Within this 
area the cold is not so severe during winter as to make the 
care of sheep a source of great concern ; nor are the heats 
of summer so extreme as to produce, after a few generations, 
a degeneracy of the character of the fleece. It is well 
known to naturalists that within the limits of hot climates 
the wool often disappears from the whole body of the sheep 
and is replaced by a hairy coating. According to some 
scientists this is a case of unequal development, the hair 
growing more rapidly than the wool, and crowding it out; 
or it may be that nature, disdaining to work for no effect, 
supplies the cooler coating of hair for the warmer one of 
wool. In the heated valleys of the Codilleras, according to 
the authority of Roulin, if the lambs are sheared as soon as 
the wool has grown to a certain thickness, all goes on after- 
wards as usual, but if not sheared a short shining hair like 
that of the goat is produced ever afterward. 

Tennessee may be called the center of this vast sheep 
producing area, and it certainly presents in its variety of 
soils, surface configuration, and climatic elements, all the 
combined advantages of the Slates surrounding it. This is 



[32] 

made apparent by a cursory examination of the different 
natural divisions. The climate embraced within its limits 
is peculiar in the fact that it is very greatly modified 
by reason of the existence of mountain heights, rolling 
plains, level surfaces, by water courses, trend of mountain 
ranges, and great forests. The mouiitains which bound it 
on the east rise in massive propordons from 3,000 to 6,500 
feet above the surface of tide water, atid the average annual 
temperature does not exceed Stty-iour degrees. These 
mountains are usually steep, but not )ugged, and where the 
metamorphic soils prevail they are beautifully rounded, and 
their sides are clothed with gigantic trees, suggestive of the 
fertility of the soils. On the tops or crests of these moun- 
tains treeless spots often occur, but the surface in such places 
is matted with everlasting grasses of great variety, succu- 
lence, and nutrition. I have seen timothy (Phleum 'pratense), 
herd's- grass {Agrostis vulgaris), blue grass {Poa pratensis)^ 
goose grass (Poa annua), meadow fescue or evergreen 
{Festuca 'pratensis) , white clover [TrifoUum repens), and many 
others growing side by side, and forming a turf unsurpassed 
in the richest basin soils of Tennessee or Kentucky. These 
grasses form a regular succession, and supply grazing 
throughout the summer months. And by reason of 
the frequent rains during the growing seasons, they 
furnish far more grazing than they would in the valley 
lands, where summer showers are more unfrequent. I es- 
timate that two acres on the mountain top will supply as 
much grazing as three in the valleys. It must be remem- 
bered that the warm south winds, freighted with moisture 
from the Gulf of Mexico, which blow almost constantly 
during the summer months, are arrested in their northern 
course up the valley of East Tennessee by their mountain 
barriers, and the water is squeezed from them by the rapid 
diminution in their temperature when they strike the cool 
surface of the mountain tops. Scarcely a day passes in 
summer without a shower. Many of the spurs of these 



[331 

mountains are of sandstone origin. Such spurs are very 
barren. No nutritious grasses grow on them, only greenish 
running briers, lichens, mosses and ferns. It might be 
supposed that these frequent rains would give a humidity 
to this region too great for the health of sheep. This is 
only true within limits. Where the soil is retentive of 
moisture, such as the boggy places, sheep will not thrive, 
but by far the greater portion of the soil drains rapidly, and 
after each shower the sun comes out with a singular bright- 
ness, and dissipates the moisture, besides, evapoiation at 
these great heights goes on with more ra})idity than in the 
valleys below. The eastern, southern, and western slopes 
of these mountains are well adapted to sheep husbandry, 
but the northern slopes are so thickly covered with mosses 
and ferns, forming a mass often one to two feet deep, that 
all grasses are rooted out, and the moisture is constantly 
held by the thick mats. 

These cleared slopes in south-western Virginia are the 
very best grazing grounds in that S^ate, and in these coun- 
ties in Tennessee, notably Johnson and Carter, where the 
rich mountain sides have been denuded of timber, sheep 
husbandry is accounted very profitable. The wool, too, is 
of singular excellence, and brings in the market several 
cents more per pound than the valley- grown wool. 

After a patient investigation of the subject I cannot sub- 
scribe to the doctrine laid down by Mr. Heury Stewart, in 
his work entitled " The Shepherd's Manual " — a work of 
singular excellence and merit, and to which I am much in- 
debted — that sheep do not thrive well on metamorphic soils. 
This may be true of the latitude of New England and old 
England, but in the latitude of Tennessee, North Carolina, 
and Virginia, sheep upon those soils are fruitful and 
healthy, long livers, and abundant bearers of wool. Other 
causes must be assigned for their unhealthiness than the 
metamorphic origin of the soils, for it is not universally 
true, and as far as Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee 
3 



[34] 

are concerned, not true at all. In my opinion, no better 
spot could be selected for a sheep farm than the slopes of 
the A.lleghany mountains. They are well drained, they are 
fertile, they abound in native grasses, they are convenient 
to market, they supply a safe refuge from the heats of sum- 
mer and from the chilling blasts of winter, and from the 
vexatious annoyance of flies. But I would not advise the 
growing of heavy sheep except on the level plateaus. The 
hardy Merino, the nimble and fleet footed Cheviot, would 
find on the sunny slopes of these mountains a home far 
more congenial than upon the Pyrenees of Spain or the 
Grampian hills of Scotland. The natives found on these 
mountain heights are as fleet as the deer and as healthy. 
The wool is very white, soft as fur, firm, lustrous, true, 
and the sheep show a beautiful adaptation to the locality 
which they occupy. These natives, crossed with Merino 
or Cheviot, would give the very best sheep for the moun- 
tains. The words of Darwin on this subject are full of 
wisdom for the enlightened flock -master. He says : 

"The most commoif and profitable use of crossing has 
been to improve common breeds of animals, or rather to 
transform them into the improved breeds. This has be- 
come so common in all parts of the country, that it is not 
necessary to dwell upon it; it is never amiss, however, to 
remind farmers that improved animals always need improved 
<!are and feed. Five or six crosses, with careful selection, 
will transform almost any scrub animals into thoroughbreds, 
or into animals that cannot be distinguished from thorough- 
breds, and which, for all practical purposes, are equal to 
them. It would, then, require but a few years of united 
endeavor to canse the scrub animals to disappear from every 
part of our country, and animals as good as our best 
thoroughbreds to take their place, were it not for the in- 
creased requirements of such animals, and the apparent im- 
possibility of so suddenly modifying our agriculture as to 
provide the necessary conditions for their existence." 



[35] 

The native sheep of every country are a correct expression 
of what the food and climate of that country will produce. 
Their constitutions are moulded to suit their environments. 
Crossed upon improved breeds the hardiness of constitution 
is united to the desirable qualities of thoroughbreds. In 
any attempt, therefore, at sheep raising in these mountains 
this idea should not be lost sight of, and the very best foun- 
dation for a flock is the native ewes, crossed on some of 
the improved breeds. 

The valley of East Tennessee consists of a great wide 
trough, bounded by parallel mountain sides, that on the east 
being the great Unaka mountains, those oil the west making 
«p the eastern escarpment of the mountainous coal field of 
Tennessee. This included trough or valley trends obliquely 
northeast and southwest, which is the general direction of 
the great Appalachian chain, and of the Atlantic coast. 
Measured on the northern boundary of the State, and 
obliquely to its course, this trough is one hundred miles 
wide, and in the southern fifty miles, and is one hundred . 
and eighty miles long. One of the remarkable peculiarities 
of this valley is that its surface is longitudinally fluted by 
parallel minor valleys and ridges. In this it differs from 
all other parts of the State. This feature gives a certain 
direction to its rivers, and more especially to its smaller 
streams. This trough or great valley is, in the main, the 
agricultural region of East Tennessee. The principal stream 
is the Tennessee, the tributaries of which, on the east, are 
the Watauga, the French Broad, the Little Tennessee and 
the Hiwassee; on the west the Clinch and the Sequatchie, 
This valley has a climate more equable and pleasant than 
that of any other part of North America east of the Rocky 
mountains. It lies between parallels 35° and 36°4' north, 
and its mean altitude is one thousand feet above the sea 
level. The prevailing winds are from the southwest and 
west, and they bring a constant and bountiful supply of rain 
from the Gulf of Mexico. 



[36 I 

Knoxville is the geographical center of East Tennessee, 
and it occupies a mean elevation too, so that it may be taken 
as the climatic center also. 

The summer mean at Knoxville, 73°6', is about that of 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as that of several points 
in central Virginia, of Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky,. 
southern Indiana, and central Illinois. It is that of the 
central part of Spain, and the northern part of Italy. The 
summer of the East Tennessee Valley is, therefore, consider- 
ing its valley-like character and its low latitude, a compara- 
tively cool one. This is mostly due to the considerable 
elevation of the region above the sea. 

According to very careful observations made at the Ten- 
nessee University, under the direction of the United States 
signal service, at Knoxville, 

The mean temperature for the year is 57° 

The mean heat for the summer is 74° 

The mean cold for the winter is 40° 

Average maximum temperature 91° 

Average minimum.. ■ 2° 

The result is a mild and equable climate, that combines 
delightfully the temperate and tropical, without the extremes 
of either. 

The mountains on either side protect the valley from the 
blighting and chilling northern and northwestern winds 
that so scourge the plains of the northwest, while they act 
as a natural conduit for the milder and gentler winds that 
come from the Gulf of Mexico. But even these are tem- 
pered into pleasant breezes by the spurs or cross sections of 
mountains which break out from the main ranges. Thus it 
comes, that while it is a very rare occurrence to see the 
anemometer standing still, destructive storms are never ex- 
perienced. A happy result of these influences is a degree 
of exemption from all malarial and atmospheric diseases, 
unsurprssed in any country. The undulating surface of the 
land, the great numbers and rapid flow of the rivers, the 



[37] 

•entire absence of all low and marshy lands, and the con- 
stant ^ow of gentle breezes, keep the atmosphere pure and 
exhilarating to a delightful degree. 

The rich, undulating surface of this great valley, its ad- 
mirable drainage, its suitableness for a mixed husbandry, 
and its great healthfulness, have made it a very populous 
region, while the grandeur and picturesqueness of the land- 
scape have entitled it to be called the Switzerland of 
America. Within recent years it has won an enviable 
character for the excellence of its stock, and especially for 
sheep. Two of the most splendid fleeces exhibited at the 
recent Paris Exhibition were sent from East Tennessee, one 
grown by Col. Tom Crutchfield, near Chattanooga, and the 
other by Mr. H. H. Matlock, of McMinn county. For 
length and lustre, and uniformity of fibre, these fleeces bore 
off a prize medal, and this, two, without having any one 
to exhibit them, or any particular attention directed to 
them. 

Nearly every farmer in this valley has a few sheep, some 
-of therA splendid flocks, and no complaint has ever reached 
me of unhealthiness where the flock was built upon the 
native ewes. (See Mr. Crutchfield's letter in Appendix.) 

The Cumberland Table-land is two thousand feet above 
tide- water, with a dry sandstone soil, and an exceedingly 
cool and pleasant climate in summer, the mean temperature 
being about 71°. The air is dry and bracing. During the 
summer months the surface of the earth is covered with 
tussocks of fine, nutritious mountain grasses, and furnish 
ample sustenance for sheep eight months in the year. In 
•addition to the wild grasses, herd's-grass, clover, and orchard 
grass, with slight attention to manuring, will grow well. 
Wild peas also furnish a nutritious herbage. The soil can 
easily be made to yield sufficient supplies for winter feeding 
by sowing it in stock peas, a food not only healthful for 
sheep, but highly relished by cattle. 

To be successful in sheep raising on this Table-land, the 



[38] 

breeder must be careful to build shelters for protecting his 
flocks from the middle of November until the middle of 
March. The climate is very rigorous in winter, and the 
keen northern and northwestern blasts will speedily impair 
the health of the improved and tender breeds. The native 
sheep are very healthy, and rarely suffer from any disease^ 
though they are not profitable, the wool being coarse and 
short, and the carcass light and lean. This arises, however, 
more from neglect than from any local cause. It should 
never be forgotten that thrifty flocks may be raised where- 
ever industrious men and good breeders live, and that the 
best flocks will degenerate where inattention and neglect are 
practiced. 

The advantages offered by this mountain region for the 
economical rearing of sheep are : 

1. The cheapness of the lands. Lands may be bought 
at almost a nominal price on the Cumberland mountains. 
Though high and healthy, the soil in comparison with that 
of the valleys is poor and unproductive. The price for 
wild, highway-pasture land varies from fifty cents to three 
dollars per acre, depending mainly upon nearness to rail- 
roads and markets. Care should be taken, though, to in- 
vestigate the titles thoroughly, for one of the most unwise 
acts of our past legislation was the opening of a land office,^ 
and allowing every one to make his own surveys, and re- 
ceive a grant for lands based upon such surveys. Often- 
times it happened that the same land had been entered in 
whole or in part by others. The possession of a land grant 
does not carry with it in this State a title, but the title rests 
with the oldest grant, assuming it to have been regularly 
entered at first. Let strangers beware of purchasing moun- 
tain lands without a rigid investigation of title. I am led 
to make these remarks because complaints have reached this 
office that persons have been swindled in purchasing land 
grants. There is no difficulty about securing good titles ta 
valley lands, but there is danger that a person may buy 



[39] 

land upon the mountain with a grant from the State, bear- 
ing the great seal of authority, and have no title. 

2. The second advantage these mountain lands offer for 
sheep raising is in the wide range of pasturage. The open 
woods permit the luxuriant growth of nutritious herbs and 
grasses throughout the summer, and will subsist millions of 
sheep for eight months in the year without any other care 
than salting. 

3. A third advantage may be found in the dryness of the 
sandstone soil, which insures exemption from many of the 
diseases fatal to sheep. 'No foot ail, no braxy, no impaired 
organs of digestion, no blind staggers, and, indeed, no other 
disease than old age, or starvation through want of care, has 
ever attacked them. No do flies annoy or vex flocks as 
they do in the lower plains. 

There are also some disadvantages attending raising 
sheep upon ^his mountain. The pasturage is so extensive 
that they often stray off and are lost. There is, also, the 
calycanthus, that on some of the slopes grows vigorously, 
bearing seed, readily eaten by sheep in winter, and which is 
a deadly poison. To guard against this, sheep should be 
driven up and fed before the rigor of winter and the scarcity 
of grass compel them to devour such food. Another draw- 
back will be found in the distance from market. While the 
wool may be easily conveyed to shipping points at a small 
cost, mutton sheep would suffer much in flesh by being^ 
driven long distances. Of all this region, embracing more 
than 3,000,000 acres, less than 500,000 acres are within easy 
reach of railroads or navigable streams. 

Several experiments on a large scale have been made on 
this Table-land in sheep growing, but most of them have 
failed because sufficient attention was not given to providing 
provender for winter. And yet there is no good reason why 
this should be so. It is true that corn will not, as a general 
thiug, except, prob.ibly, in Scott and Morgan counties, re- 
pay the cost of culiivation, but there are oth"er crops that 



[40] 

will make a satisfactory yield. It has already been men- 
tioned that one of the best that can be grown by the sheep 
husbandman is tiie pea. Fodder enough could be readily 
made from the haulm of the pea to keep large flocks tlirough 
the winter. Turnips also grow well upon the mountain, 
and in some sections oats and rye yield well. Besides these, 
corn-fodder could be raised in any desirable quantities, and 
sorghum. The fatal impression with most of those who 
have attempted to raise sheep on the mountain has been 
that sheep could subsist through the winter without fe« ding. 
Practising such a belief three- fourths of those who have 
tried sheep raising on the mountain have ignominiously 
failed, and it is retributive justice that they did. There 
ought to be no success without watchful care. The raising 
of shaep successfully in large flocks cannot be an avoeaiion; 
it must be a vocation, demanding the time, care and patient 
attention required in other pursuits. 

My own impression is that the Merino sheep, if properly 
cared for, would prove a profitable investment on these 
mountain lands. One precaution would be necessary, and 
that is to keep the bucks from the ewes until about the 
middle of November, so that the lambs would come after 
the rigorous winter weather is over. 

On the rim-lands surrounding the Basin the soils generally 
are more fruitful of the domesticated grasses, and in certain 
localities, particularly in Dickson, Humphreys, Lewis, 
Hickman, and Lawrence, the wild grasses grow quite as 
well as upon the Cumberland Table- land. The surface is 
generally very level (except where cut by stream beds), 
where the wild grasses flourish most abundantly, and the 
woods are 'open. Many parts of the Highlands are very 
fertile, as is Warren, Franklin, Stewart, Montgomery, 
Robertson, Clay, and considerable areas in Putnam, Over- 
ton, Coffee, Houston, and Lawrence. Humphreys, Dickson, 
and Hickman have also many fertile areas. Sheep are very 
heahhy on these uplands, and require less care in winter 



[41] 

than they do in a mountainous region. The outcrops of 
limestone along the streams, forming high bluffs, furnish 
excellent retreats from the wintry blasts, and in such situa- 
tions tufts of grass often keep green throughout the winter, 
and enable sheep to procure a ready subsistence. This 
highland, district also furnishes some of the best w^heat lands 
in the State. By sowing early, and allowing the wheat to 
get a good growth in the fall, it is found equal to sustaining 
a great many sheep during the winter. Rye and barley are 
often sown also for winter pasturage. 

A practice that ought to be more generally adopted, is to 
sow herd^s-grass, and let it grow during summer, leaving it 
uncut. The dried grass will protect from frost and freezes 
the new grass which springs up in the warm days of autumn, 
and this will supply good winter grazing for sheep. Unlike 
timothy or orchard grass, herd's- grass will bear without 
damage the close cropping of sheep. This grass is probably 
for all purposes, grazing and mowing, the best that can be 
sown upon the thin lands of this division. It is very hardy, 
bears grazing well, makes good, though light hay, and will 
survive the worst treatment. Its greatest enemy is the 
broom- grass (Andropogin scoparius and A. furcatus). 
Orchard grass grows well also on these highlands, and for 
summer grazing is greatly superior to herd's- grass. Blue 
grass, except in some favored localities, does not make a 
good or lasting sod on the highlands. 

In many parts of Warren county the Japan clover (Les- 
pideza striata) has taken possession of all uncultivated 
places, and has proved a most formidable enemy to the 
broom-grass, the villainous pest of all meadows. This 
clover is highly relished by sheep, and though short, it fur- 
nishes a good pasture from May until frost. 

All along the Tennessee river, in its western passage 
through the State, are wild lands now heavily clothed with 
valuable timber, that could be made splendid sheep walks. 
These lands are well drained, generally rolling and elevated, 



[42] 

and well adapted to the growth of many varieties of grasses. 
They are almost as cheap as the mountain lands, and far 
better in the qualities of the soil. 

But by far the best locality in the State for raising all 
classes and varieties of sheep is the great silurian, limestone 
basin of Middle Tennessee. Here the meadows are 
luxuriant,, the pastures are green, the soil is fertile, the 
water abundant. Here are landscapes diversified by hill 
and dale, wood and stream, meadow and field, forming a 
thousand delightful combinations, and making an extended 
panorama of exquisite rural elegance and beauty. Here all 
the grasses flourish, even the loftiest hills are set in blue 
grass, and countless flocks fleck the landscape on every side. 
The highest evidence that can be adduced as to the value of 
this basin for sheep raising lies in the fact that sheep are 
grown upon nearly every farm, and up to a certain number 
are universally held to be profitable. Every breed has 
found admirers, and every breed does well. Sheep require 
no feeding in this division during winter, when upon good 
grass, barley, wheat, or rye fields, except when there is a 
fall of snow. Then some oats, fodder, or corn are fed. 
They are very healthy, and, indeed, when attended to, prove 
a most profitable investment up to a certain number, say 
one sheep for every five acres of open land, or two sheep on 
every acre of permanent pasture, presuming that the 
farmer will have other stock in proportion to the size of 
his farm. 

The cost of keeping sheep per annum per head is about 
one dollar and twenty- five cents. The wool of one sheep 
of high grade will pay for the keeping of two. Lambs are 
clear profit, and the estimated cost of wool, dividing the 
cost proportionately between it and lambs, is below ten 
cents per pound. The average yield of wool for improved 
breeds in this basin is between seven and eight pounds — 
natives from two to four pounds. Nearly all natives have 
disappeared from this locality, and high grades have taken 



[43] 

their place. Mutton sheep, near Nashville, good grades, 
bring in the market five cents per pound, gross; lambs, 
grade, three and a half to four and a half dollars. 

A large trade in lambs has been built up within a few 
years past. Hundreds of car loads are shipped every spring 
from this basin to points North, and good prices realized. 
Good sheep farms can be bought in the basin for ten to 
forty dollars per acre — the price varying as to situation and 
soil. 

We come now to consider the Plateau Slope of West 
Tennessee for the breeding of sheep. Here the lands, ex- 
cept a strip near the Tennessee river, are low, the surface 
generally broken by gentle undulations, except in the river 
basins. The counties bordering the Tennessee river are oc- 
casionally rugged, especially the western parts of Hardin, 
Decatur and Benton. The soil of West Tennessee being 
largely intermixed with sand, grasses do not grow so uni- 
versally as in the last division spoken of. Nevertheless, 
i^ome grasses find here a most congenial soil. In no part 
of the State does herd's-grass grow so luxuriantly, nor has 
tiie soil any superior for the production of orchard grass. 
In that tier of counties running next to the Kentucky line, 
and parallel with it, also in Dyer, Lauderdale, and Tipton 
counties, where the Bluff Loam formation prevails, clover 
attains its highest development. Nowhere, however, in 
West Tennessee, does blue grass make a first- rate sod. It 
will grow, but not better than upon the rim- lands. As a 
division, however, West Tennessee has a larger proportion 
of rich soils than either Middle or East Tennessee. 

Sheep husbandry has never claimed the attention of the 
farmers in this division to the extent its importance merits. 
In many counties there is not wool enough grown to furnish 
stockings to the inhabitants. For producing heavy mutton 
sheep there is no part of the State better adapted. The 
numerous railroads give easy access to markets, and good 
prices could be realized for early lambs and iat mutton 



[44] 

sheep. It is a fact well known, that, owing to the milder 
climate of West Tennessee, the lambs of January are as 
healthful and hardy as the February lambs in the Central 
Basin. This is a great advantage, giving the benefit of 
bare markets to the West Tennessee breeder. If more at- 
tention were given to sheep raising in that division and 
less to cotton growing, great improvement would soon be 
visible, not only in the general management and productive- 
ness of the farms, but in the financial status of the farmers 
themselves. There is nothing for which there is so con- 
stant a demand as fat lambs and good mutton. Wool, 
which can be produced at about the same cost as cotton, is 
always of ready sale. A diversified agriculture is greatly 
needed in West Tennessee, and there is no branch of farm- 
ing more interesting and more remunerative than the breed- 
ing of sheep. With the lands in West Tennesese carrying 
a fair number of sheep, there would be in the aggregate an 
immense addition to the income of the farmers, and thrift, 
plenty and contentment would take the place of doubt, fear, 
and disappointment. Decatur, Hardin, Benton, McNairy, 
and Hardeman, by reason of their rolling surfaces, seem es- 
pecially suited for sheep raising, while many other counties 
richer in soils, and, therefore, better suited for general crop- 
ping, are really inferior for this branch of the farmer's call- 
ing. 

Having passed rapidly over the State, and noted the pe- 
culiarities of each division, it will readily appear that its 
diversified surface offers unsurpassed advantages for grow- 
ing all the different varieties of sheep that are profitable in 
this latitude. In order to secure the greatest profits the 
breeder should first consider the variety best adapted to his 
locality, and the proximity of a market for his mutton. In 
the broken, hilly region of East Tennessee, an active, hardy 
sheep, a good feeder, with a medium coat of wool, will be 
fouad most profitable. To build up a breed of this kind, 
presuming we start from the native mountain scrub, the 



[45] 

most desirable cross to roake first is the Merino. This will 
give hardiness and longevity. Add two or more crosses of 
Cotswold or Leicester, and we get size and fleece. Many 
farmers are apt to use the Cotswold or Leicester blood too 
freely after noting the good results of the first cross, there- 
by increasing the weight of the fleece at the expense of the 
other desirable qualities of his flock. As we approach the 
lowlands in the valley of East Tennessee, where the grasses 
grow more luxuriantly, the fleece should be increased by 
using more extensively long- wooled bucks. A cross with 
some of the heavier breeds of the Down can also be made 
with good results — such as the Shropshire, Hampshire, and 
Oxfordshire downs. In breeding these, however, it is im- 
portant to look out for a close market for lambs, as it is for 
their weight as mutton that these heavy breeds are consid- 
ered most valuable. When mutton becomes the principal 
object of the .flock- master, we would give the Southdown 
preference over all others. An excellent and very profit- 
able mutton- and- wool sheep can be grown in the level sec- 
tion above referred to, by crossing the Southdown upon 
Cotswold grades, bred as those first spoken of, viz. : with a 
Merino foundation, and crossed up with some of the long- 
wooled families. In fact, there are but few of the different 
varieties but would be improved to some extent by an infu- 
sion of Merino blood, especially when it is the intention of 
the breeder to make sheep husbandry a specialty, and raise 
large flocks. In the middle portion of the State all varie- 
ties can be grown with great success, and here the breeder 
has only to consider the principal object for which he 
wishes to build up his flock. If for wool, the nearer he 
approaches the thoroughbred Cotswold the heavier will be 
the fleece, but if mutton is his object the Southdown blood 
should predominate. On leaving the Central Basin of the 
State, going west, the long-wool sheep should be gradually 
discarded, to give place for a variety better suited to the 
climate and the grazing facilities of the country. Here we 



[46] 

would again place the valuable Merino blood as a founda- 
tion, and cross it up with Southdown. This will make a 
most profitable breed for the farmer, giving him a hardy, 
quick- maturing mutton sheep, with a sufficient fleece to pay 
him handsomely on his investment. 

To sum up the whole, in order to get the best breeds for 
the different sections of the State, we will only select three 
of the principal varieties having in a greater measure than 
any others, the most desirable qualities sought after by the 
breeder, viz. : hardiness, fleece, and mutton. For the first 
we would select the Merino, for the second the Cotswold, 
the best known and most generally used of all the long- 
wooled breeds in the State, and for mutton the Southdown. 
For the eastern division of the State the Cotswold and 
Merino cross, for the middle division the Cotswold and 
Southdown, and for West Tennessee the Merino and South- 
down. 

Farmers, as a rule, should not go into sheep husbandry 
to the neglect of other things. Let sheep be one of the 
products of the farm, not the only product. A few sheep 
well cpred for will prove profitable to every farmer, while a 
large flock would become, in nine cases out of ten, a source 
of annoyance and expense. The object of this paper is to 
show the profitableness of sheep raising on a small scale. I 
do not advise the keeping of large flocks by the generality 
of farmers. If every farmer should carry a small flock, 
breeding up the natives to high grades, the profits would be 
very much increased. 

There is still another question which the Tennessee farmer 
should look to — the question whether to make the growing 
of wool the principal or subordinate object. This will be 
goverened entirely by his location. If he occupies the high- 
priced, fertile soils, that abound in many parts of the State, 
then by all means the production of meat should be his 
principal aim, and wool only occupy a secondary considera- 
tion. Sheep that will mature early, fatten quickly, trans- 



[47] 

forming the rich, blue grass and grain into luscious mutton 
in the shortest possible time, are those which will yield the 
greatest profit. Long-lived animals in such localities are 
by no means so important as when wool is the primary ob- 
ject. The conditions are reversed upon the thin soils, and 
in the sparsely populated portions of the State. There wool 
should be the principal end, and mutton the incidental, for 
it would be quite possible to keep a flock of a thousand or 
more on a widely extended natural pasture, at less cost of 
time, trouble, and money, than a flock of one hundred on a 
small, but very fertile and highly improved farm. To mar- 
ket mutton from long distances entails' loss, both in quality 
and quantity ; but no product of the farm, in proportion to 
value, involves so little expense in transportation as wool. 
The flockmasters' motto should be mutton for the rich valley 
lands; wool for the mountain districts and thin table-lands. 



[48] 



CHAPTER IV. 

EWES AND LAMBS. 

Iq the establishment of a sheep farm the main considera- 
tion with the farmer should be, not to obtain the greatest 
number of sheep most rapidly, but to so manage the flock as 
to make them the most valuable for the purpose he has in 
view, be his object wool or mutton or both, or for breeding 
early lambs for market, and in doing this the husbandman 
must pursue that plan most likely to increase the size of the 
carcass, and to improve the quality and quantity of wool. In 
making the necessary calculations, the manner of selling must 
must be taken into consideration. A farmer remote from any 
market for early lambs will have to devote thought to the wool, 
as that is more easily carried to market, but if he is conve- 
niently located, his chief source of profit will be to produce 
early and many lambs. This idea determines the breed of 
sheep to be kept, and, in starting the flock, this should be 
borne prominently in mind. But in either case much and 
continued care must be bestowed upon the ewes and lambs, as 
without proper attention to them the flock will, by various 
vicissitudes, become rapidly lessened. 

A ewe bred to a buck will go five months, or more accu- 
rately one hundred and fifty-two days. With this knowl- 
edge the farmer can so time the coming of the lambs that 
they will drop at any time desirable. In Tennessee the lambs 
begin usually to come about the 1st of January. But this is 
a bad time for them to fall, unless breeders are making a 
specialty of breeding lambs for early spring market, in 
which event they must have suitable arrangements made for 
giving them extra care and attention. At that time we gen- 
erally have very inclement weather, and it necessarily in- 
volves the loss of many lambs. The custom of allowing the 



[49] 

ewes and bucks to run together all the year is universal in 
this State, and as long as that custom is persisted in, there 
is no way to prevent it. But if the farmer wishes to become 
a successful sheep raiser he ought to pay attention to all the 
minute details of the business. A very necessary one is to 
separate the rams from the ewes at shearing time and keep 
them apart until it is desired the ewes should be bred. A 
flock of forty or fifty ewes requires only one buck when he 
is properly used. A want of attention to this item involves 
a loss of lambs by barren ewes. Merino ewes will begin to 
breed at two years of age, but all other breeds will go the 
first fall, though young ewes will not breed as certainly as 
those two or more years old. 

A young buck is not a sure breeder. An aged ram is 
much to be preferred. A ram in his second year may be 
used to serve only a few ewes if he is very vigorous, for the 
size and strength of a lamb depends on the size, strength 
and age of the sire, as well as upon the condition of its dam. 
A ram at three or four years old is at his prime ; from this 
age all rams begin to get nncertain as breeders. Especially 
is this the case when they have been allowed to run with 
the flock. 

Fine blooded ewes should be kept away from the ram 
until the second year, as earlier breeding materially inter- 
feres with the improvement and growth of their progeny, as 
well as stunts the ewes. 

If there is only a small flock of ewes kept on a place for 
the purpose of raising fine breeds, it will be found very con- 
venient, yes indispensable, to mark them in such a way as to 
distinguish them afterwards. The following is a good way 
to mark them : 



I 22—1878. I 

>K ^ 

The first figures relates to the number of the sheep, the 

second relates to the year dropped. This baud is inserted 
4 



[501 

in two holes cut in the ear, pushed by each end and then 
bent inwards so that it will hold. The ear will soon heal 
around it like the holes in a lady's ear, and it will remain 
for life. The mark should be put in up and down on the 
ewe and across the ear in a buck, so that there will be no 
trouble in distinguishing the sex. It will be a most conven- 
ient thing also to have a memorandum book, such as 
suggested by Mr. Stewart in his work, to tally with 
the ear marks kept in the following manner. Let it be 
ruled into columns, and entries made accordingly, as per ex- 
ample : 



Breed. 


Age. 


No.of 
ewe. 


No.of 
ram. 


When 

DROPPED. 


When 

SERVED. 


Will 

LAMB. 


Lamb'd 


Re- 
marks. 


Cotswold. 


2 years. 


26 


2 


Feb.1,1877. 


Sept. 1,1879. 


Feb. 1. 


Feb. 2. 


Twins. 



No one can properly appreciate the convenience of such a 
book as this until it is tried. By reference to it anything 
can be known that is wished about the ewes and rams, and 
an exhibition of this book will convince the purchaser of 
the accuracy of any statement made in reference to each 
sheep of the flock. Under the head of " Remarks," any 
fact in regard to the ewe or ram can be noted, whether she 
is a good nurse or breeder, or whether the lambs are strong 
or weak. This book will also enable the farmer to elimi- 
nate from his flock all such as are not good breeders, or if 
he wishes he can set aside all ewes that bear single 
lambs. It will also enable him to fatten such ewes as are 
becoming too old for the butchers, thus keeping up his 
flock to the highest standard of excellence. 

The best time for lambs to drop in Tennessee is from the 
20th of January to the 1st of March. About the 15th or 
20th of January we almost invariably have a good warm 
spell of weather, which usually lasts, with but a few days 
of cold, until spring opens. If, however, the farmer is near 



[51] 

a market sufficiently large to make the breeding of early 
lambs profitable, he, of course, will be prepared to care for 
them at any time they may come, even in mid-winter, and 
the earlier he gets them the larger his profits will be, if they 
are well fed and cared for, when brought to the butcher. 
Many farmers in the middle portion of the State are making 
a specialty of this business, and are breeding their lambs 
for December. The breeder always realizes a fancy price 
for the first "spring lambs," often as high as five dollars 
for fifty pound lambs. 

It should be borne in mind that but few farmers are 
-either suitably located or prepared to give the attention 
necessary to this particular branch of husbandry, and to 
those who are not, it would be injudicious to attempt it; but 
with the farmer whose lambs begin to come in the latter 
part of January and February, if he will watch closely on 
cold or rainy days he can almost invariably save all lambs 
that come at this period. In order to bring them early the 
rams must be turned to the ewes about the 20th of August. 
It is much better that the ewes should be served only once 
by the ram, as oftener will frequently result in abortion. 

As mentioned above, it is both injudicious and expensive 
to allow a ram to run with the ewes, especially at this 
season. A good plan, and one that will preserve the vigor 
of the ram, and enable him to serve the greatest number 
of ewes, is to have him in a lot to himself, and in the 
evening, late, turn in to him six or eight or ten ewes, first 
having painted his belly with red paint. In the morning 
every ewe he has served will be marked with red. The 
entire batch should be turned out from him during the day, 
thus allowing him to recuperate for another lot that will be 
turned in to him in the evening. In this way he will rarely 
ever serve the same ewe twice, and the breeder, by noting 
in his book, as mentioned above, the date of service, will 
know exactly what time to expect the lamb, and can dve 
those particular ewes extra attention at that time. After 



\ 



- [52] 

the entire flock has been bred in this way, the ram should 
be allowed to run with the ewes for a few days, so that if 
any ewes should come in again he will serve them. Be 
careful to put on the entries the time of the serving of each 
ewe. 

Peace and quietness should reign in the pastures at thia 
time, as much worry, with handling unnecessarily, would 
prevent conception. The ewes should not be kept very fat 
while enciente, as they will not produce as large and good 
lambs when too fat. They should also be studiously pro- 
tected from long continued chilling blasts. Asa general 
rule our pastures have a good deal of undergrowth, and 
this will prove sufficient, especially if they are among shrub 
cedars, which is very common in Middle Tennessee. A very 
good plan to bring ewes into season, should they be slow to 
come so, is to give them a dose or two of Epsom salts, and 
shorten their feed for a few days. While it is wrong to 
make the ewes too fat, it is equally culpable to keep them 
too poor, as they (Tannot, in bad condition, produce a good, 
strong, healthy lamb. Their feed should be increased by 
degrees just before lambing time comes, as the draft of 
nursing will require richer food. At least a pint daily of 
grain should be given each ewe until the pasture becomes 
sufficient to keep them in thriving order. Turnips, and, in 
fact, roots of all sorts, should be avoided about lambing time^ 
as they are said to produce abortion. Pea vines, especially 
the haulm of the peanut, are good food for ewes. It is al- 
most a necessity for ewes to have laxative food before and 
after lambing ; nothing is better, in addition to their grain, 
than a bite of green food, such as rye, winter oats, or wheat, 
two or three times a week before lambing, it has a tendency, 
to keep them thrifty, and in good condition, and it adds 
greatly to their flow of milk afterwards. We have known 
four- fifths of a crop of lambs to die from ewes that had be- 
come feverish and unhealthy from being grain-fed exclu- 
sively before lambing. If the record is kept the farmer 



[53] 

^ill know about the time of the expected lamb, and just 
before the time arrives the ewe should be separated from the 
others, and kept under shelter, especially at night, or in 
inclement weather. Many lambs have been lost by a want 
of attention to this easy precaution. The barn should be 
close, and if light can be excluded all the better. A clear 
dead wall all around the room will prevent the lamb from 
becoming hung or caught under troughs or racks. By this 
means the lambs will scarcely ever be disowned, as is often 
the case when they are mixed with the flock. A teaspoon- 
ful of oil will greatly hasten the emptying of the lamb's 
bowels, which are full of a sticky, glutinous mass, and it 
-often accumulates in the wool around the vent, stopping it 
up. It is well enough to smear a little castor oil around 
the anus to prevent it. Sometimes the lamb is affected witli 
scours. A little peppermint water and prepared chalk will 
•correct it, though it may be necessary to administer it 
several times. Clip away any locks of wool from around 
the teats that may have been left from the tagging when 
sheared. 

Sometimes, with all the precautions that can be used, 
the ewe will disown her lamb. There is no other re- 
course tlien but to use the " lamber." This is nothing more 
than a hurdle to confine her so she cannot turn around and 
butt the lamb. It will have several rails around it, and 
should she kick, a stick passed under her belly, slightly 
raising her up, will so fasten her that she cannot move. 
She is to be put in this lamber every time the lamb wants 
to suck, and will soon become accustomed to it. 

A lamb left by the death of its dam, or a twin lamb that 
is too weak to suck, may easily be raised by hand. By 
taking the skin from a dead lamb, and rubbing it over one 
of the twins, the bereaved mother will often adopt it. Ewe's 
milk is best, but it being difficult to procure, resort is 
generally had to cow's milk, which, with the addition of a 
small lump of sugar, closely resembles ewe's milk in taste 



[54] 

and effect. A tin can, provided with a spout, or a coal oil 
can that has not been used, with a rubber nipple on the end, 
will be all that is necessary, and the lamb will soon know 
its feeder, running to him, butting around his legs, 
begging for its food. At first not more than a gill of milk 
should be given, and it should be warmed up to about 
natural heat, or one hundred degrees. After a few days, 
when the lambs begin to grow and play around, it can be 
given ad libitum. 

While a ewe is suckling her lamb her food should be of 
the most generous character. Good clover or blue grass 
pastures should be supplemented with bran, oats, corn, or 
meal, and, in fact, if good lambs are expected, and early 
ones, the dam must be extremely well fed, as the food of the 
lamb must be derived from the mother, and if she has not 
the food she cannot be a free milker. Roots mixed with 
bran, oats, oil-cake meal, or grain will aid materially in the 
flow of milk. Pea straw is a favorite food for ewes, and it 
has more nourishment in it than any other kind of hay, as 
will be seen by a reference to the analysis. As soon as the 
lamb is large enough to notice other food besides its damV 
milk, it should be tempted to eat a little wheat bran 
fetprinkled in a trough^ such as is mentioned in a previous- 
chapter; or, some bright sweet clover hay will be apt to get 
a nibble. After it once begins to feed this way you can 
make it weigh heavier and grow more rapidly than it would 
on its dam's milk alone. A lamb that is pushed heavily by 
an abundance of food for the first three months will show 
itself by producing large vigorous sheep, while, on the con- 
trary, if it is stinted of food for that time it becomes 
dwarfed, and will never make a good healthy sheep. All 
animals whose maturity is hastened will be stronger, 
thriftier, and longer lived than one that has been half 
starved in its growth. Besides, they make far better 
breeders. Should the pasture be bordered by a corn field 
it is a good plan, and one that is followed by many good 



[55] 

farmers, to make a hole under the fence large enough to 
admit the lamb, and yet withhold the sheep, into the corn 
field, provided the corn is tall enough to prevent the lambs 
from nibbling off the bud. They will eat the young tender 
shoots or suckers, and the bottom blades of fodder, that 
burn up and are lost anyway, and will not injure the corn. 
In this way they will be materially assisted in their growth 
and maturity. Should there not be a field or pasture to aid 
the lambs, a pen should be provided adjoining the " run " 
of the ewes, with an arrangement to admit the lambs, in 
which troughs are provided, kept filled with bran, meal, and 
anything calculated to aid in pushing the lamb. 

It sometimes happens that a ewe loses her lamb, and in 
that case, to prevent " garget," or inflammation of the udder, 
the ewe should be milked a few times, never taking all the 
milk, and increasing the intervals of milking. In a few 
days the udder will become soft, and then the danger ceases.^ 
A few doses (twenty grains to the dose) of saltpetre will 
materially aid, by exciting the action of the kidneys. Cold 
water washing is good, too, for the udder when soreness pre- 
vails. 

It is a mistaken notion on the part of many farmers that 
the best plan to improve the flock in all cases is to bring 
every year or two a new ram into the fold. In-and-in breed- 
ing has been established beyond controversy to be a neces- 
sary system of perpetuating a breed or species, provided, 
always, that a full-blooded buck of any kind is first started 
with. The celebrated stocks of Spain have attained their 
great superiority by this plan, and the sheep farmers of 
England have established, by the same system, the long 
wooled sheep of the Cotswold and Leicester breeds, as well 
as the mutton sheep of Southdown and Shropshire. It is 
of equal importance, however, that incestious breeding 
should be avoided ; nothing has a greater tendency to weaken 
the constitution of m flock than too close in-breeding. It is 
an error that farmers are apt to fall into, especially if they 



[56] 

have an extra good ram, aud they fiud it difficult and ex- 
pensive to duplicate him. A skillful breeder will always, 
in selecting a breeding ram, be governed in his choice by 
the defects of the ewes he intends breeding him on ; for in- 
stance, if his ewes are leggy and light bodied he will choose 
a short legged, heavy bodied ram to use upon them. A 
continual change of rams will get up a mixture of various 
degrees of excellence, but there is no reliance on the perpe- 
tuity of the stock, the lambs often taking after some inferior 
progenitor that is near of kin. But by carefully noting all 
the different points of excellence originating in a flock, and 
preserving only those that possess in an eminent degree the 
proper points to be gained, tiie breeder will soon have the 
satieifaction of seeing a uniformity of stock not to be gained 
by any other method. Therefore, do not go out for the 
cross, but pick within all the time. To do this the best 
lambs, both ewes and rams, must be preserved for breeding 
purposes. And the selection must be made and adhered to, 
with reference to the purpose in view. Should it be the in- 
tention of the breeder to improve the wool, then select en- 
tirely with reference to the wool, keeping in view, of course, 
that strength, size, rapidity of growth, tendency to fatten 
(whether the flock is kept for wool or mutton), must be 
always a pre- requisite. Then the length, quality, and fine- 
ness of wool must be the chief aim, in the parents as well 
as in the lambs. 

Should, however, the breeder wish to raise early lambs 
for market, then those ewes that produce single lambs of 
large size and quick growth should be selected. In carry- 
ing out this idea it should also be kept in mind that the 
ewes which will give large quantities of milk, and eat 
heavily, will best fulfill this object. 

If the production of wool is the object, ewes that produce 
twins, and are gentle, good nurses, are the most suitable. 
In either case the record book is indispensable, as it will 
be utterly impossible to make a proper choice of ewes with- 



[57] 

out it, as the meniorv will not do to trust. Good ewes for 
breeding purposes ar^; only second in importance to a good 
ram; the latter gives quality to the entire flock, and the 
former only to her owis offspring. " Good sucklers aiake 
good lambs" is only true in part, but with animals as pro- 
lific as sheep there is no reason why a farmer should not 
have all of his breeding ewes good individually as well as 
good sucklers. A ewe should have a large body, broad hips, 
a good feeder, and of gentle disposition. Never preserve, 
as stock sheep, poor or weakly lambs, or ewes that do not 
suckle well, or those that have weak constitutions, or ewes 
that are restless, wandering bleating over the pasture. 
Such animals should annually be eliminated from the flock, 
fattened, and sent to the shambles. While the ewe influences 
only the lamb she produces, the ram influences more or less 
the whole flock • it is, therefore, doubly important to exer- 
cise the utmost care and judgment in making suitable selec- 
tions of bucks; indeed, it is a matter of prime importance. 
The character of the sheep, the number and quality of the 
lambs, depend to a great extent upon this choice. la 
making this selection the shape of the animal and the 
character of his wool should be taken into consideration 
more than his size or weight. It is not always that the 
large heavy fat rams are the best. They do well enough for 
the fairs, and exhibitions of stock, but not for the harem. 
We may here state that good thriity- growing condition is 
much more preferable for both ewes and rams than to have 
them fat. Owing to the heat and flies, as well as short pastur- 
age, sheep generally fall off in July and August, and when 
mated in September are generally in good breeding condi- 
tion. A ram, with all the work he can do, will re- 
quire and should have rich stimulative food, in ad- 
dition to his pasturage; but the ewes should only 
have good pasturage until a few weeks before lamb- 
ing, when bran and oats should be given them. Should 
mutton sheep be the desideratum, select one with rather 



[58] 

short small boned legs, round barrel, small head, full arms 
and thighs, close wool on the back, with fat on the ribs, 
where it is never found on a poor sheep, and, in fact, a 
general good appearance, rather than for any one special 
point of excellence. A well knit, smooth framed ram will 
possess more vitality than a large, long, loose one, and the 
effect will be very marked in the number and superiority 
of the lambs. In like manner the ewes should be selected 
that are very broad across the hips, as in that case the pelvis 
being roomy, the lambs will be more easily brought forth, 
without so often losing both lamb and dam. A disregard 
of this simple precaution often entails great loss on the 
farmer by difficult parturition and still-born lambs. 

It is asserted by many writers that lambs bred from 
young bucks or young ewes are more often male than 
female. How true this is, if true at all, is not known to 
the writer, but it is a wise provision of nature to restrict 
the propagation of the species where the animal does not 
possess the vigor to make a perfect progeny, thus limiting, 
for the want of females, the supply of the breed. Large 
bones should always be avoided in sheep, as, indeed, they 
should in all animals, as the nutriment that would otherwise 
go to the formation of bone would tend to increase the size 
of the carcass, thus adding, with the same feed, to the quan- 
tity of flesh and wool. The selection of rams, however, 
cannot be taught by books, but must be left almost 
entirely to the tact and discretion of the breeder. As be- 
fore stated, they should not be used upon more than twenty 
or twenty-five ewes until they are at least two years old, if 
possible to prevent it. High condition in the ram is not 
desirable, a mere fair condition promising better in getting 
lambs than one too fat. 

No man must expect to accomplish in one year what it 
requires many years for others to accomplish in the perfec- 
tion of a flock of sheep. It took the most careful attention 
of the most intelligent breeders to bring the four to six- 



[59] 

pound-fleece wooled sheep up to the twelve and fourteen 
pound fleeces, that are so greatly admired at the present, 
day. There must be, therefore, an unwearied patience and 
indomitable energy and watchfulness to bring about any 
desired form or quality. Let the breeder first determine 
the nature and character of the flocks to be produced. He 
will then have to watch the desired form and fleece as seen 
in his flock, and then by separating, and breeding only those 
possessed of those qualities to rams selected, as mentioned, 
whose best points are where the ewes are most defective. 
The breeder will, in the course of a few years, have the 
satisfaction of seeing a flock of an established character, and 
able, by long breeding, to perpetuate and transmit those 
peculiarities to their progeny. Above all other qualities, 
be sure of the constitution and health of the sheep, as no 
amonnt of carcass or fleece will compensate for a sickly or 
tender frame. These difficulties may dampen the ardor of 
those men who expect in two or three years to enjoy the 
giory of establishing a breed, but this continued attention 
has been given to the Southdown and Cotswold in the 
United States for at least a half century, and was, for a 
greatly longer time, bestowed on the celebrated Spanish 
Merino in Europe. It is positively the only method of 
success. 

MIXED BEEEDS. 

It often happens that for a certain reason the farmer 
wishes to cross his flock with other breeds. This is, under 
some circumstances, very advantageous, especially when he 
wishes, from a large wool sheep, to produce early lambs or 
mutton sheep. Almost every breeder of sheep has his own 
fancies in regard to the change sought. The first considera- 
tion is, which will be the most profitable, wool or mutton. 
This generally can be determined by the proximity of the 
markets. This once decided, the rest must be left to the 
experience and tact of the breeder. Should the farmer 
wish, without too much expense, to create a fine grade of 



[60] 

sheep from the common stock, he has only to procure a lot 
-of ewes combining as many of the pre- requisites as possible, 
according to the rules laid down in previous chapters. 
Should it be desirable to raise lambs for market, it then be- 
comes necessary to select from the fine blooded varieties 
such a buck as will bring about the desired end. It is 
usual to select a Southdown or Merino, and persons having 
tried it claim for each some peculiar reasons for preferring 
one or the other, which is a conclusive argument that either 
or both are good for the purpose. 

By watching and talking with breeders one can get the 
result of their experience on the subject. The Southdown 
lamb will attain its growth quicker, and is larger than the 
Merino cross, and the black-face lambs are always a favorite 
with butchers, and iu culling a lot of lambs they are in- 
variable first taken. Yet the Merino has mauy advantages. 
Though smaller it is remarkable for vigorous health and for 
tenderness and juiciness of its meat, and when once tried 
will find many to advocate its claims. When once the 
breeder starts he must continue in the same direction, that 
is, he must continue with rams of the same breed, changing 
them for others as often as every other year, at least, and 
always selecting the best animal that can be procured. He 
can often do this without expense by making the change 
with a neighbor pursuing the same plan, thus equally bene- 
fiting both. Each year he can and should dispose of all 
the ram lambs, and keep the ewes. Upon this point the 
breeder must keep a watchful eye. There is as great differ- 
ence in the value of ewes as there is of rams. None but 
the very pick of the lambkins should ever be allowed to 
breed, and then, if they prove poor, or are indifferent 
milkers, they should be fattened with the pen of old ewes 
that accumulates every season, and sent to the butcher. If 
he has ewe lambs enough to satisfy his wishes for breeders, 
he can, after the first year, sell off all the original native 
ewes, and thus his flock will consist of half-blood grade 



[61] 

Southdowns, or whatever cross he adopts. Each year of 
crossiDg will bring him nearer to the full stock, and when 
the flock has been crossed five times, they are iu all respects 
full blooded, with this advantage, that the frequent crosses 
with fresh rams will have infused more life and vitality than 
was possessed by either before the process be^an. Nor should 
it end with the fifth, but continued ad infinitum, to prevent 
a retroR-rade of the flock, as there will continue to be a 
tendency to a relapse now and then tor many years, it 
should be the duty and care of the farmer to watch closely 
any tendency to relapse, and the lambs exhibiting it should 
be promptly removed and consecrated to the shambles. 

Should it be the desire of the farmer, on the contrary, to 
convert a flock of native ewes into long wooled sheep, the 
Cotswold and Leicester, independent of others, present 
as many advantages as he may require. The same rule as 
for producing a carcass must be observed, only the eye, in- 
stead of being directed to the frame alone, must keep in 
view the character, length, and texture of the wool. Of 
course he must also bear in mind that the better carcass the 
wool is on the better will be the fleece, so he must combine 
all these qualities in the ram. A very sightly broad-backed 
flock of ewes will soon satisfy his vision. The last named 
of the above species, the Shropshire's, are little known in 
this country, being of comparatively recent origin even in 
England. But in the short time they have been before the 
country, they have attained a vast amount of popularity, 
chiefly on account of the prolific quality of the ewes. For 
the sake of those unacquainted with the breed we are in- 
duced to clip the following description of them from the 
" London Field," a high authority on all subjects connected 
with stock raising : 

SHROPSHIRE SHEEP. 

"The Shropshire sheep, though of comparatively recent 
origin, are at the present widely spread and much valued. 



[62] 

We know of no breed so prolific. The increase in all cases 
is to a certain extent, and often materially, influenced by 
the nature of the land — nourishing, or yielding, or inferior 
food. On an average, if the ewes ar.^ well cared for before 
and during the time the ram is with them, at least fifty per 
cent, of doublets may be looked for; and when Shropshire 
rams are put with long-wool ewes, the increase is much 
greater. On a small farm we purchase, every autumn, forty 
Banffshire ewes — a description of border Leicester, with a 
slight Cheviot cross — and serve them with a Shropshire 
ram. In 1872 thirty-six ewes produced seventy-eight lambs, 
all sold fat. This season the forty ewes produced eighty- 
two lambs, but owing to unfavorable causes we lost ten 
lambs, or such portion of the same as have not been 
already treated with mint sauce. This prolific tendency is 
a point of great importance, for it is not with the Shrop- 
fihires as it is with some of the larger breeds, that a fine 
single lamb is more esteemed than a double. The ewes are 
good mothers, and can do justice to their offspring; more- 
over, it is always profitable to assist nature by nutritious 
diet. Next, the Shropshire is a hardy sheep, suitable for a 
large range of soils, and capable of close folding, without 
sensible loss of size. The yield both of mutton and wool 
is far greater than from the Southdown, or other short wool. 
Hampshires may arrive at greater weight, but they require 
more time. The proportion of bone and offal is greater 
and the wool much less." 

We have no personal acquaintance with these breeds of 
sheep, but those having a knowledge of them commend 
them very highly. The character here given would com- 
mend them rather as mutton sheep than as sheep for early 
lambs. It is no uncommon thing to see a ewe with three 
lambs, and the late Hays Blackman, Esq., of Davidson 
county, had a ewe that raised four good lambs without any 
feeding except that obtained from her udder. 



1_63] 



IN-AND-IN BREEDING. 

This subject has given rise to more discussion than prob- 
ably any other question connected with sheep raising. 
Many object to it from religious or moral considerations. 
Others contend that this method tends to weaken the con- 
stitution and debilitate the sheep, and the general appear- 
ance of the Leicesters originated by Mr. Bakewell, of Eng- 
land, by in-and-in breeding tends to confirm this objection. 
The small head, prominent, glassy eye, small bones, we say 
attenuated, their delicate skin, and general tendency to 
scrofulous diseases, would seem to be the result of too close 
and too long continued in-breeding. Still, close breeding is 
absolutel}- requisite to originate a species. This evil effect 
could be avoided to a great extent by adopting the rule to 
breed from the same ram only for the second generation, 
and by selecting another for the grandchildren with as 
nearly as possible the same form and general character. It 
is said to have less deleterious effects to breed a ram to his 
own get than to breed brother and sister together. The 
breeder could adopt a safer course, and one to attain the 
same ultimate result, by putting together animals of the 
same family, but less closely alied, as father or brother. I 
am strongly of the opinion that the same degeneration 
would take place in animals of a lower order, as is known 
to be the case with the higher animal, man. The result of 
in-and-in breeding in man is known to result in the highest 
type of personal beauty, but it is at the expense of the con- 
stitution and mental faculties. Besides, inter-marriages of 
families, long continued, often result in physical deformities, 
and this fact being so universally admitted in man, must 
bear some relative proportion in brutes. To breed properly 
have one well defined object, and keep that object always 
before the mind. To do this well it is absolutely 
necessary to know every ram and ewe in the flock, and their 



[64] 

geaeral characters. To do this look to the record book 
already recommended, without which nothing can be re- 
memb.ered. Keep it also in mind that the ram must have 
absolutely pure blood, as his character affects the whole 
flock, and the slightest taint in him affects the whole flock. 
It is of the greatest importance that the ram should be 
thoroughbred, it matters not whether the breeder's object 
be wool or mutton. So strong is the tendency of the sheep 
to "breed back," or return to the native scrub, that even 
though a ram be three- fourths or four- fifths thoroughbred, 
at least two-thirds of his progeny will resemble scrubs more 
than thoroughbreds. It will, in the end, cost less to buy a 
good ram from a trustworthy breeder than attempt to raise 
the rams at home, as the admixture of new blood invigorates 
the breed. Bear it in mind, also, that there is a constant 
tendency to a retrocession to the original native breed, and 
it is therefore necessary to guard against this and cull out 
the offending animal. Without good feeding it is useless to 
attempt a fine display of sheep, as a few generations of half 
starved sheep will quickly end where it began. Want 
of food makes bad sheep, as without it the full development 
of the animal cannot take p'ace, and the want is soon per- 
petuated in a diminutive size and inferior fleece. It is, in 
other words, easier to go down hill than to rise an ascent. 
Though the sheep, to all intents and practical purposes, are 
considered full blooded after five crosses, which brings them 
to thirty- one-thirty- twos, yet they are not, and according to 
the rule of arithmetical progression, never can be, and the 
lambs of some of those crosses will show the ancestry. 
Therefore, in breeding for thoroughbreds, the start must 
be pure. It may be proper here to state that a lamb, 
according to a legal decision, ceases to be a lamb when 
the first two permanent teeth appear, which is at one year 
old. 



[651 



WEANING LAMBS. 

The time usually allotted for the lamb to snckle is four 
months. The first thing is to separate the lambs and ewes, 
as far as possible, from each other, so that they will not hear 
each other's bleating. The lambs should be put on better 
pasture than they have been accustomed to, but it must not 
be too luxuriant. They should previously have been trained 
to eat plenty of salt, which is a good preventive of a great 
many diseases. A contrary course must be pursued with 
the ewes in reference to their pasture for a week or more 
after weaning. It can scarcely be too poor, otherwise it is 
frequently followed by great distension of their udders, and 
inflammation or garget. If this should be likely to occur 
they should be milked for a day or two, and fed with hay, 
or other dry food. After a week or more they should be 
placed on such pasture as will hasten their return in the 
shortest time to good condition. 

Several eminent sheep raisers separate the ewes and lambs 
for the day, only turning them together at night, thus allow- 
ing the ewes to relieve their distended udders. By pursuing 
this course for a week or ten days the lambs ^vill become 
accustomed to doing without the dam, and they are finally 
weaned without any ill effects to the ewe. Should, however, 
the udder of a ewe become inflamed, and danger of garget 
or abscess supervene, the ewe should have immediately a 
full dose of Epsom salts, say a heaping tablespoonful, with a 
teaspoonful of pulverized ginger, the two mixtd in water. 
For the next two days give them, morning and evening, 
twenty grains of saltpetre. This will so increase the action 
of the kidneys, and cause a consequent determination of 
blood to those organs, that the udder is thereby relieved. 
Hay should be fed to them, also, instead of pasturage, thus 
giving them a quicker drying up. 

5 



[66] 



PEOFITS OF EAELY LAMBS. 

In close connection with stall feeding of sheep comes the 
furnishing of early lambs of the best quality for the 
butcher. It is one of the most interesting and profitable 
branches of sheep husbandry in localities accessible to 
market. When carried on as a special business the produc- 
tion of butchers' lambs usually involves the annual selec- 
tion of ewes for that purpose, which requires no little judg- 
ment in securing good nurses, possessed of vigorous consti- 
tutions, wide-hipped, broad, short-legged, early-maturing 
animals, the best that can be culled from the common flocks 
of the country. If the ram commences running with them 
in September, they will begin to drop their lambs early in 
February, and continue into March. They should have 
good pasture. If short cropping attends the coming of 
winter, the careful farmer will eke out the scanty herbage 
with corn, oats, or their equivalent, that they may enter 
upon dry feeding and the cold season in good condition. 
Then they are fed with hay and a little grain or oats. The 
winter feed, however, it is needless to add, can be varied 
greatly, and a reasonable variety is found conducive to 
health. As they approach the lambing season the heaviest 
should be separated from the flock, and fed as before, being 
careful to give some roots, but not so many as to increase 
very much the secretion of milk. Breeding sheep should 
not be too fat, they certainly should not be poor, but the 
^' golden mean " is much nearer the former than the latter 
extreme. This may account for the different practice and 
counsels of sheep breeders, some affirming that the ewes 
should be kept on good hay till near the lambing time, and 
then allowed more stimulating food; others preferring to 
-give hay, with a little grain, all the time, deprecating any 
increase. Near a railroad is the best location for breeding 
early lambs for market. Lambs cannot be driven, without 



[67] 

serious loss, a greater distance than ten miles. The shorter 
the distance the greater the profits. Very early lambs at 
sixty pounds weight are sold by our breeders at from three 
to five dollars each. From one station in Sumner county 
lambs to the value of forty thousand dollars were sold in 
1878. And this business is constantly increasing, because 
Tennessee is the last State going South where prime mutton 
sheep can be raised, and their lambs come, therefore, into 
^n earlier and a bare market. 



[68] 



CHAPTER y. 

SHEEP FARMS — SITUATION FOR — GENERAL MANAGEMENT 
OF SHEEP — FOOD, MANURE, ETC. 

Many thiugs are to be considered to become a successful 
sheep husbandman. In the first place, he must determine 
to succeed, and with this principle thoroughly settled in his 
mind, half the battle is already won. He must possess tact 
and perseverance to overcome all obstacles, and not be 
drawn oif to follow some other business because it promises 
a quicker return for his labor. 

Then, being settled on this question, the next is to select 
a suitable farm for the business. Flat or wet lands are not 
suited for sheep walks, for, of all domestic animals, sheep 
are most injured by having their feet constantly wet, which 
induces foot-rot, a disease terrible in its ravages upon the 
flocks which it attacks. In any part of the State where the 
lands are rolling and the water- courses descend with rapid- 
ity, ensuring quick drainage, there is no difficulty about 
selecting a suitable situation. The swelling mountains of 
East Tennessee, whose tops are often bathed in clouds, and 
whose sides and crests are clothed in summer with a rich 
verdure, offer a fine field for this branch of husbandry. 
The writer has often seen magnificent flocks fleck the slopea 
of these mountains in summer, while the nestling coves at 
the foot give shelter and food during the prevalence of 
wintry blasts. So, also, the valley or trough of East Ten- 
nessee, on account of its natural drainage, has always proved 
exceedingly healthy for sheep. The Cumberland Table- 
land, with its dry sandstone soils, is famed for the health- 
fulness of its flocks. And coming further westward, we 
find a section of country whose wavy undulations of sur- 



[69] 

face and swiftly- running streams make it the shepherd's 
home. In the Central Basin of the State, and on the Rim 
surrounding it, more sheep are grown per acre of open 
lands than in any other portion of the State. A very large 
proportion of West Tennessee also has proved to be healthy 
for sheep, especially away from the marshy bottoms of the 
creeks and rivers. 

Taking the State throughout, it may well be doubted 
whether an equal area can be found anywhere on the conti- 
nent that presents so many charms for the flockmaster, and 
this, not only because of the ever- changing surface, but be- 
cause of the abundance, variety and nutritiousness of the 
native forage plants. 

Limestone and sandstone soils have in every country 
proved advantageous for sheep-raising. These, for obvious 
reasons, should be dry and porous. Soils of this character, 
too, will produce the finer and more nutritious grasses. All 
the famous breeds of the world are bred on such soils. The 
Leicester and Shropshires come from the red sandstone hills 
of those shires in England; the Lincolns are raised upon 
alluvial soils based upon limestone, while the Cotswold for 
centuries had its home on the Cotswold limestone hills; the 
Southdown and Oxforddown are native to the chalky downs 
of the south of England ; while the only finely bred sheep 
of America, the American Merino, thrives best on the lime- 
stone hills of Vermont among the marble quarries. 

Our alluvial soils will make splendid sheep farms, pro- 
vided they are properly drained. In fact, the " bottoms" 
are not of necessity marshy or boggy, many of them having 
such a large proportion of sand that they keep dry. A 
good plan to determine this question, is to dig a hole in the 
ground about a foot deep, and if water stands in it an hour 
after a hard rain hns ceased, it is a good indication that the 
land needs draining, and any land that requires draining is 
not good for a sheep farm. 

One other matter should be looked to if it is intended to 



[70] 

confine the sheep to pastures, and that is good fences.. 
Sheep are naturally inclined to jump, and an invitation, by 
bad fences, will surely be accepted. Straying sheep will 
soon be lost sheep, as, when once out, there is no limit to 
their travels, and many a flock has been totally lost for 
want of attention to this particular. Therefore, have good 
fences around the pastures intended for sheep, so they will 
never acquire the habit of jumping. With good fences, 
many good bargains may be had with the less provident 
farmers, who, annoyed by their continual straying, will 
often be induced to part with their sheep at a great loss. 

A fold should be provided that is dog-proof. The coun- 
try is often in an uproar from the depredations of one or 
two miserable curs in a single night. The farmer goes to 
bed proud of being possessed of a fine nucleus of a flock. 
He has carefully selected choice breeds, and spent many 
anxious hours protecting and caring for them through the 
winter months, and it is his delight to exhibit them to his 
meighbors. But some morning the unwelcome word comes 
to him, "the dogs have been among the sheep." Every 
one who has experienced it knows of the volumes of rage 
that swell his bosom. But it is all for naught. The mis- 
chief is done and the robber gone. Not a trace is left, ex- 
cept the dead carcasses of many sheep lying around, and 
,the frightened, stunned look of the more fortunate ones that 
have escaped — escaped the dogs it may be, but they have 
suiFered so much by fear they do not recover for months. 
They run at the approach of any one, they are restless, and 
the constant snort of some watcher startles them from their 
food, and, as a consequence, they lose flesh and become a 
shadow of what they were before. Sheep are very ])eculiar 
in this respect, and nothing disturbs their equanimity more 
than the inroads of dogs. All this can be prevented by the 
simple precaution of a fold. It is easily made, and will 
last indefinitely. 

Select a suitable spot near the dwelling as may be. Let 



[71] 

it slope so that it will not become muddy or sloppy. Let 
it be in size to suit the number of sheep intended to pro- 
tect. An acre of ground will suffice amply for from one to 
five hundred sheep. Let it be enclosed by any means that 
will exclude a dog. One used for years by the writer was 
made of pickets, cut eight feet long and put two feet in the 
ground, well packing and stripping it on the inside. It is 
not necessary to sharpen the ends, as, if closely put together, 
it will never be passed by dogs. Have an entrance by a door, 
so that when shut the fold is closed. If pickets are not 
convenient, a plank fence will answer equally well, only it 
will require more constant care to keep it in repair. About 
1,700 pickets are required to make a fold, worth, when of 
cedar, $3 per hundred. It will cost seven cents a yard to 
dig the trench and put them up. The strips, four inches 
wide and one inch thick, will cost $1.50 per hundred feet,, 
and the nails will cost about two dollars more. So a good 
substantial fold made of cedar, which will last, with slight 
repairs, at least twenty-five years, will cost say $75, which 
is a very small sum to pay for security and peaceful nights. 
If one wishes to economise, he can either enclose his barn 
with such a fence, or some other of his outbuildings that 
require an enclosure, and thus save a double expense. Thus, 
while his neighbors are continually annoyed by dogs and 
sustaining heavy losses with destroyed or harrassed sheep, 
he can turn the key on his flock and quietly go to bed, sat- 
isfied his flock will be safely in the fold the next morning. 

The fold should be also sheltered on the inner side, to 
allow the sheep to feed during the long nights and be pro- 
tected from the rain, as well as have good dry hay to go to. 
The shelter should be not more than four feet high, and the 
length of two boards will be sufficient. Next the fence 
racks can be constructed in the following manner: A round 
pole from the wood-: or a heavy scantling is laid against the 
bottom of the pickets, and secured there by stubs driven in 
the ground. Then bore one and a half inch holes in an 



[72] 

oblique direction, so that slats or rounds driven in the holes 
will have a slant of about forty-five degrees from the fence. 
Then fit on the other ends of the rounds a companioti scant- 
ling, about four feet from the ground pole. This scantling 
will then serve as a support for the roof, letting one board 
extend from the scantling to the fence and another out- 
wards, with the outer ends resting on a plate two inches 
square, which is itself supported by stakes, at intervals of 
six or seven feet, firmly driven into the ground. At inter- 
vals of eight or ten feet have some two or three boards 
nailed together, but movable, so they can be raised to put 
the hay in tlie rack. Then nail two planks, seven or eight 
inches wide, together by the edges so as to form a V-shaped 
trough, supporting or bracing it by nailing strips across at 
intervals of twelve inches, which will serve not only as a 
brace, but also prevent the sheep from throwing their food 
out. Nail this trough firmly to the ground pole of the 
rack, and there is a barn far better than the aiost expensive 
■covering ever built by the amateur farmer. It protects 
them from rain and snow, and keeps their food dry and 
prevents it from becoming worthless from tramping and 
defiling. Should the flock become so large that all cnnnot 
€at at the same time, supplementary racks and shelters could 
be erected by building a fence or plank wall four feet high, 
and sheltering and racking both sides as their necessities 
may require. 

Nor does the advantage of a fold stop with the security 
of the sheep. It is said the foot of a sheep is golden. 
During the day he distributes his rich manure over the 
pastures in an admirable manner, carrying it where most 
needed on the sloi)efi and thin soils of the higher lands. 
By proper attention to raking and saving and sheltering, 
here can be gathered and garnered a rich store of plant 
food. And it is truly astonishing what a large amount 
of valuable manure can be collected in a short time. 
The litter, such as straw or leaves, that has been, or 



[73 1 

should be, spread under all the sheds, will become saturated 
with the urine, and this, tlirown on the general heap, gene- 
rates an iniraenf^e amount of ammonia, which, lodging in 
the mass of decaying vegetable matter, makes a manure 
unexcelled by any. 

Sheep that have been kept up and fed during the winter, 
when turned on grass in the spring are very apt to scour, 
the fceces catching itj the wool around the vent and on the 
thighs, forming tags. These tags sometimes become enor- 
mous, and serve, not only to impede the motions of the an- 
imal, but also to make a secure lodgment for insects, espe- 
cially for maggots. These tags are a great annoyance to 
the lambs also. Sometimes drainage from the filth, held by 
them, trickles down on the teats, mingling with the milk. 
Sometimes they prevent the lamb from sucking altogether. 
Whether wet or dry, the wool can never be washed from it, 
and sooner or later it must be cut from the sheep. Tagging 
before turning out to grass prevents all this expense, waste 
and risk. So tagging should be practiced at once, cutting 
away all the wool around the vent and on each side of the 
thigh, so the dung will fall clear to the ground without 
touching any wool. It should also be cut from around the 
udder of the ewe, and from the scrotum of the buck. In 
doing this of course care should be taken to be gentle with 
the sheep and not injure the skin. Should a scar be made 
on the skin, cover it with a mixture of tar and grease, us 
this is a season of flies, and a nest of maggots would soon 
be made on any wound. 

No one thing contributes to the health of shee{) more 
than salting. It prevents injury from the great change 
from dry to green food, and will prevent the mass of herb- 
age from fermenting in the stomach. The salt is better 
when mixed with epsom salts, copperas and sulphur; 
and the best plan of using it is to place a supply in 
covered boxes, protecting it from rain yet admitting it to 
the constant access of sheep, replenishing the boxes as often 



[74] 

as required. This combination will prevent injury from 
eating too much, as, if salt is too largely licked at first it is 
apt to produce scours. 

Another precaution that is absolutely necessary should 
take effect at this time, and that is marking. The old 
barbarous custom of mutilating the ears of sheep has given 
place to other plans. Cutting the ear destroys the beauty 
of the sheep besides injuring their facility to hear, the ear 
being shaped precisely right to convey sounds to the drum. 
Some use tags of tin, sold by all agricultural stores, that 
have, marked upon them, the age and number of the sheep. 
This tag is placed in the lobe of the ear as a ear- bob. Both 
ends may pierce the ear, and then by bending and twisting 
it is permanently fastened. Others use paint. A conven- 
ient method is to mix lampblack or any other color with 
linseed oil, and, with a brush, make any shaped marks 
proper or desired, either the initials of the owner or a cross. 
Bucks should be marked on the rump, wethers on the right 
shoulder, and ewes on the left. Another plan is to use Ve- 
netian red, a very cheap paint, and one pound will mark a 
thousand sheep. Take between the thumb and first two 
fingers a pinch of the dry powder, then, drawing the en- 
closing fingers through the wool, letting the powder slip, 
any desirable mark may be made. The powder will unite 
with the grease of the wool, making a bright red mark, 
which no amount of rain will eiface, yet without any injury 
to the wool, as it can be easily taken out by the manufac- 
turer, which is not so easily done with lampblack and lin- 
seed oil. However, this operation should always take place 
immediately after shearing, except as to lambs; on the lat- 
ter after docking. This process — docking — should take 
place when the lamb is a week or ten days old, or older if 
it is very weak. Some cut off the tail with a knife, while 
others use a chisel. The latter is much the best plan. Let 
an attendant hold it upright, rather leaning back, with its 
rump resting on a block ; then, with the finger and thumb. 



[75] 

let the skin of the tail be drawn up towards the root, and 
placing a chisel on the tail about an inch from the rump, 
strike it a smart blow with a mallet and sever it at one 
blow. Have at hand a pot of tar, turpentine and lard, and 
smear the stump with it and turn it off. There will be 
little or no bleeding, especially if the operation is performed 
about night, so the lamb will be quiet soon after the dock- 
ing. Castration should be performed about the same time. 
The longer this is delayed the more liable the lamb is to 
die. I have known every lamb to die from this operation 
being delayed until shearing time. This is a delicate ope- 
ration and must be carefully performed. A cool day should 
be selected, and gentle hands to assist. Take the lamb with 
a fore and hind leg in each hand, and hold in an upright 
position with the back against the body ; draw the hind 
legs up and apart, and press the lamb's body sufficiently 
hard to cause its belly to protrude between the thighs, ex- 
posing the scrotum to full view; then, with a sharp knife, 
cut about two-thirds of the scrotum off, and take each tes- 
ticle in turn between the thumb and forefinger, and, after 
sliding down the loose enveloping membrane to the sper- 
matic cord, pull out, not jerk, the testicle with a moderately 
quick but not violently jerking motion. The connecting 
tissues easily break, with but little bleeding. If any of the 
nerve should remain exposed, pull out and cut it off, as it 
must not be left. After cutting, place a quantity of the tar 
and grease in the scrotum and all over it, to keep off flies, 
and it will quickly heal. This operation should also be 
performed just at nightfall, to ensure quiet until it begins 
to inflame. Formerly castration was practiced far more 
than at present, and we think it better for the farmer to sell 
the buck lambs instead of converting them into wethers, as 
with the most careful operation many lambs will die. 

Many persons suppose a pasture will suit sheep let it be 
composed of whatever herbage it may. It is true sheep 
will devour more sorts of herbage than any other species of 



[76] 

animals, yet it is equally true that there are more scraggy, 
rough sheep in the country than fine, fat ones. This is due 
to the difference in pasturage. Sheep, themselves, know all 
about this, and going into a sheep lot, it will be seen that 
the turf is eaten closely in spots — some places do not seem 
to have been touched, while others are cropped perfectly 
bare; nor will the spots that are left ever be grazed by 
them unless driven by absolute hunger. The whole animal 
is composed of the precise elements of the soil, and in order 
to advance the growth and health most rapidly, it must be 
seen that the products of the soil contain those elements 
essential to it. Clean, dry wool contains about 17 per cent 
of nitrogen and 5 per cent of sulphur in 100 parts; there- 
fore, when the pasturage abounds in these principles and is 
abundant, the wool has a clear, glossy appearance and a 
considerable amount of a greasy, adhesive substance called 
yolk. This yolk serves to keep the wool in a lively, healthy 
condition; in fact, its presence in quantity is an indication 
that the sheep are in a healthy, thriving condition, as its 
absence is attended with a harsh, dry feeling to the touch, 
and the fleece is of an inferior quality. Potash enters 
largely into the composition of yolk, therefore food to 
nourish them properly must contain a proper quantity of 
potash and sulphur, besides nitrogenous compounds. From 
the following composition of the blood and flesh of a sheep 
it will be seen what a large amount of mineral substances 
are required in its food, viz. : 

BI.OOD. FLESH. 

Phosphate of soda 16.77 45.10 

Chloride of sodium (or salt) 59.34 "(^ 45 Q4 

Chloride of potassium 6 12j 

Sulphate of soda 3.85 trace. 

Phosphate of magnesia 4.19 "j 

Oxide and phosphate of iron 8.28 > 6.84 

Sulphate of lime 1.45 J 



100.00 97.88 



The bones a^'e composed principally of phosphate and 
carbonate of lime. 



[77] 
The following is an analysis of the excrements of the 

ASH OF DUNG. ASH OF UKINE. 

Silica 50.11 Sulphate potash 2.98 

Potash 8.32 Sulphate soda 7.72 

Soda 3.28 Chloride of sodium 32.01 

Chloride of sodium 14 Chloride of potassium 12.00 

Phosphate iron 3.98 Carbonate of lime 82 

Lime 18.15 Carbonate of soda 42.25 

Magnesia 5.45 Magnesia 46 

Phosphoric acid 7 52 Phosphate of iron, lime and 

Sulphuric acid 2.69 magnesia 70 

Silica 1.06 



99.64 



loo.oa 



These analyses show conclusively that the manure pos- 
sesses an intrinsic value far greater than is generally sup- 
posed. It is naturally rich, and sheep chew so finely that, 
unlike other animals, they never sow the seed of weeds, the 
finest being thoroughly masticated. Of course the value of 
the manure is to some extent modified by the character of 
their food, as it is much richer when fed, for fattening pur- 
poses, on oil cake or corn. The following table will show 
its value as compared with other manures : 

Water. Phosphoric Acid. 

Pig dung 840 lbs. 8.0 lbs. 

Horse 743 " 12.2 " 

Cow 864 " 5.2 " 

Chicken 850 " 15.2 " 

Sheep 670 " 22.7 . " 

Human 750 " 3.3 " 

The fertilizing efiPects of sheep manure is better under- 
stood by the English farmer, who keeps sheep as much for 
the manure as for profit in other respects. This will be 
practiced in time by our farmers, but little attention to or 
appreciation of its use is now seen. An English farmer 
will sow a field of turnips, and by means of hurdles confine 
sheep to a particular lot until the turnips are all devoured^ 
by which time the ground will be black with their drop- 



Potash. 


Nitrogen. 


Ammonia. 


5.0 lbs.* 


7.0 lbs. 


8.5 lbs. 


28.0 " 


5.4 " 


6.5 " 


10.7 " 


3.5 " 


4.2 " 


5.5 " 


21.5 " 


26.1 " 


7.0 " 


7.1 " 


8.5 " 


1.0 " 


15.0 " 


18.2 " 



[78] 

pings, which, plowed under at once, gives a surprising fer- 
tility to the soil. 

With the exception, perhaps, of goats, sheep will eat a 
greater variety of herbage than any other animal. Not 
only the grasses, but many weeds noxious to the farm, 
tender twigT and mosses are eagerly devoured by them. 
Lambsquarter, iron-weed, wild mustard, tongue-grass, and 
many other weeds contribute materially to their health. Of 
grasses that supply the necessary nutriment for sheep, as 
tested by the lights of experience, are those of low, creep- 
ing habits, with fine, short stalks, such as Blue- grass (Poa 
pratensis), Timothy (Phleum pratense), Sheep's- fescue {Fes- 
tuca ovina), Spear- grass {Poa annua), False Redtop {Poa 
serotina), Redtop or Herd's- grass {Agrostis vulgaris), Or- 
chard-grass {Dactylis glomerata) , Meadow Foxtail {Alopecu- 
rus pratensis) , White Clover {Trifolium repens), Red Clover 
{Trifolium pratense), Narrow-leaved Plantain {Plantago 
lanceolata), and many others. Few of our meadows that 
are artificially made are without one or more of these 
grasses, while in the woods the Nimble-will {Muhlenbergia 
diffusa), Crab or Crop-grass {Panieum sanguinale), and 
numerous others afford succulent, healthy food. Besides 
these, there are aromatic herbs or weeds, that possess, it is- 
true, but little nutritive value, but from their stimulating 
properties they induce a good appetite, and, besides, a fre- 
quent change of diet is of the greatest utility in keeping up 
the health of the animal. Some experienced sheep-raisers 
sow mustard on open places in the pastures, which is a most 
toothsome morsel for sheep, and if allowed once to go to 
seed will perpetuate itself on the ground. Parsley, worm- 
wood and yarrow or sneezewort are also greedily eaten by 
sheep, and are very advantageous to them. Parsley acts 
upon the liver and kidneys very freely, and should be given 
them when affected with the "rot." It is a biennial plant, 
and will, when once sown, perpetuate itself by sowing its 
own seed. We have no means of knowing the nutrient 



[79] 

value of the barren grasses, but we do know that sheep 
thrive on them finely, aud come down into the farms in the 
beginning of winter thoroughly fat. The "Beggar's- lice" 
{Cynoglossum Morrisonii) that grows in unparalleled luxu- 
riance all over the barrens and mountain lands of our State 
will keep sheep in fine order after the ripening of its seeds, 
but from the peculiar nature of those seeds they will ruin 
the fleece, no machinery being sufficient to take them out 
clean when once matted in the wool. The sheep themselves 
will eat many of them ofP each other's backs, but cannot 
get them out clean. 

The value of the natural pastures can never be overesti- 
mated, and it only requires a sufficient number of attend- 
ants to sustain, until far in the cold weather, any number of 
sheep. A man with a couple of well trained dogs will 
easily attend one thousand sheep. The time will come, and 
at no distant day, when the whole range of our mountains 
will be flecked over with innumerable herds of sheep and 
-cattle, thus turning all this great waste into substantial 
wealth. The only drawback to sheep- raising on the Cum- 
berland Mountains, so far as the writer knows, is the pres- 
ence of the calycanthus, the seeds of which, when eaten by 
sheep, are fatal. Fortunately these ^shrubs are confined to 
^ few localities. 

A great and fatal error into which many sheep ma.sters 
fall, is overstocking. Not only are the sheep deprived of 
a sufficiency of food, but their stomachs become filled with 
sand and gravel by close nipping. This induces a thriftless 
condition, which ultimately ends in disease and death. They 
will also soon wear out their teeth, so that at four years old 
they no longer have teeth able to masticate their food. 

Understocking is almost equally objectionable, as the 
grass will become hard and woody and lose its nutrient 
character. A just medium is hard to establish, but expe- 
rience is the best teacher, and a farmer will soon be able to 
put on it just what stock as will keep it young and tender 



[80] 

and yet have an ample supply to fatten on. It is better to 
supplement with corn, oats, pea vines, turnips^, or hay, than 
otherwise, if needed. 

Sometimes it is better to divide the flock, keeping the 
ewes and lambs on the best and tenderest grass, and the 
wethers and bucks on the worst. Of course these remarks 
only apply to sheep confined within the limits of a farm. 
On a range it is only necessary to move the flock to a fresh 
spot when one becomes exhausted. 

A flock must be closely watched to see that the pasture 
does not become exhausted. When the nourishment be- 
comes insufiicient the secretion that goes to form wool be- 
comes arrested to a great degree, and there occurs a '^breaM^ 
in the fullness and strength of the fibre. This is not appa- 
rent to the owner, but the manufacturer discovers it at once, 
and the price is lessened. When it comes to be combed or 
carded the fibres will snap at this point of weakness, thus 
rendering the wool almost worthless. Overfeeding for a 
while, and then underfeeding, is more liable to produce 
these breaks than if the sheep had been kept on short al- 
lowance all the time, for then there will be an evenness in 
tlie fleece not otherwise to be secured. 

A water supply is of the utmost consequence to the well- 
being of sheep, and this water, if possible, should be a liv- 
ing stream. Hard water, it is said, or water abounding in 
potash, soda and lime, is far better than soft or rain water, 
as it assists in supplying the salts that so largely go to the 
formation of the sheep. But this has not always proved 
true in this State. The soft water of the highlands has 
watered many healthy flocks. Should a flock become deli- 
cate, the constant access to boxes containing the following 
mixture will prove beneficial: Equal parts of salt, Epsom 
salts, bone dust, phosphate of lime, saltpetre, and a smaller 
quantity of copperas. 

Attention should be given to the slope of the pasture, to- 
wards or from the sun. Nothing injures sheep more than 



L81J 

to be exposed to long and continuous blasts of cold wind. 
They produce much discomfort, that will, if continued long, 
result in sickness, drooping and death. Place two flocks on 
the different sides of a hill, and one can quickly see the 
vast difference that soon makes its appearance in the sheep. 
The wool of the northern slope will become harsh, whiter, 
less even, and the sheep will look dejected and drooping. 
The lambs are affected by it in a still more sensible manner. 
They lose their friskiness and seem not to wish to play. 

It rarely ever occurs in our State, and that is one cause 
of its superiority as a sheep-raising country, that the feed 
on a good pasture becomes exhausted fi'om heat or drought. 
But it does sometimes occur. When it does, the feed must 
be supplemented by green soiling. A prudent farmer will 
always have a crop of this kind to be used in case of emer- 
gency, as, if not used, it can easily be converted into hay 
for winter use. Peas, beans, millet, sorghum sowed broad- 
cast, corn sowed in the same manner, clover, mustard, will, 
together with the dry food already saved, such as oats, hay 
and various others, answer all the purposes. With a 
scythe-blade and a sled, the sheep can, in a few minute's 
work, have their racks filled for the day's use. 

The writer cannot pass without co&mending in the heart- 
iest manner the use of- sown sorghum as a green food. An 
acre, to be cut as used, and thrown in a rack under cover, 
will give an astonishing amount of green food. Its large 
quantity of saccharine juices is very delicious to all manner 
of stock. A farmer who once tries it, will ever afterwards 
provide himself with it. A bushel of seed to the acre, 
sown down on well-prepared, rich land, and harrowed in, 
early after frosts have ceased, will do in a couple of months, 
or even earlier, to begin on, and it can be cut over three 
or four times before it is destroyed by frost. 

Rye for sheep should be sown in the corn-fields with the 
last plowing. Then, by the time frost destroys vegeta- 
tion, there will be a wealth of green food for the stock. 
6 



[821 

Never sow less than two and a half, or even three bushels 
per acre. The only objection to a pasture of this kind 
is the danger of having the wool injured by burrs, so com- 
mon on most of our farms and especially found in the corn- 
fields. The fault with the most of our rye pastures is the 
want of seed. Rye does not tiller like wheat, and, there- 
fore, if an abundant pasture is wanted, put the seed on the 
ground and it will come. Sheep can run on a rye pasture 
until the first of April, or even later, when it can be broken 
up for a spring crop, and the droppings of the sheep will 
far more than counterbalance the exhausting effects of the 
rye. 

Mustard is another valuable auxiliary to the farmer, not 
only as a stimulant during the summer, but as a food for 
winter. Sowed on a piece of cleared ground during Sep- 
tember, or in the corn after it is laid by, it will afford fine 
pasturage during winter, and even when covered by snow 
the sheep will scrape the ground with their hoofs to get at 
it. It can be plowed down in the spring and not allowed 
to go to seed, and thus it will be easily got rid of after 
it has subserved its useful purpose. 

Turnips, however, is and has always, in England, been 
the staple food for sheep. In Tennessee, for the most part, 
they are easily raised, and will stand out during our mild 
winters with but little loss. In England the plan of allow- 
ing sheep to feed off them in the field is fast falling into 
disuse, but it is on account of the excessive rains they have, 
which make the ground very muddy, and the sheep are 
necessarily chilled by exposure while eating them. But in 
our dry climate and porous soils the case is different, and 
we can and do allow our sheep to run out all winter. Tur- 
nips, as everyone knows, require rich land, and with proper 
oultivation a thousand or even fifteen hundred bushels are 
an ordinary crop. The writer of this once cut off the corn 
from two acres of new land. He broke it up well, and 
threw up ridges about two and a half feet apart, which was 



[83] 

too wide, eighteen inches being amply sufficient. He sowed' 
at the rates of two pounds of seed per acre, and when the 
turnip leaves were about as large as a half dollar he thinned 
■out to six inches in the furrow. The season was propitious, 
and the turnips crowded each other in the rows. The crop 
was not measured, unfortunately, but it was astonishing — 
fully one thousand bushels to the acre. To sow them prop- 
erly, plow and harrow the land until it is in a fine state of 
tilth, then harrow and roll until it is perfectly level. After 
this, with a seed drill, sow at the rates of two pounds of 
seed to the acre, about fifteen or eighteen inches apart. 
Sow over them, just as they come out of the ground, one 
and a half bushels of plaster of paris, or about ten bushels 
of slacked lime. This will stimulate the plant and protect 
it from the insects that prove so destructive to young tur- 
nips. When they have formed three or four leaves, not 
later, thin with the hoe and hand to six or eight inches, 
leaving a single turnip to the place. Plow once thoroughly 
with a small bull-tongue plow, and the work for the crop is 
finished. Five hundred bushels is a small crop, and if the 
land is good it will oftener yield one thousand bushels. 

The next question is, what kind of turnip is best suited 
for sheep ? This is a question that will have to be decided 
by each one, based upon his own or the experience of his 
neighbors. Many prefer the yellow Aberdeen, as it is a 
large growing turnip, and yields heavily. If this is selected 
it must be sown nearly a mouth earlier than the other sorts. 
About the 1st of July is the proper time. If the rutabaga 
is taken it will have to be sown as early as the 15th June. 
Both are good varieties. The large Globe sowed about the 
15th of August is a fine variety, or if sowing is deferred 
later, the farmer must of necessity use the quicker growing 
kinds, such as the flat Dutch, or Strap-Leaf. When the 
turnips are ready for harvesting, unless it is desired to feed 
them on the ground, they should be banked. That is, let 
them be pulled or plowed up, have the leaves cut off, place 



[84] 

them in piles to suit, and then cover about with two feet of 
leaves, stalks or straw, and a few inches of earth thrown 
over them. About as many turnips should be put in each 
hill as are required for a day's feeding, so that when a hill 
is broken it will be fed up before it is destroyed by freezing. 

How will they be fed ? There are only two plans, and 
sometimes both plans will have to be adopted unless the 
flock is large enough to render unnecessary the second. 
The first plan is to turn on the sheep and let them eat them 
in the ground, as they grew. When this plan is pursued, 
the owner gets the benefit of the foliage as well as the root. 
Sheep sometimes show a disinclination to eat them at first, 
but a little salt sprinkled on the tops to start them will 
give a taste that will soon cause them to eat gredily. If 
they are allowed access to the whole field at once, they will 
destroy and waste more than they will eat, nibbling here and 
there the green tops, and leaving the roots to rot. There- 
fore they should be confined to a particular spot until the 
turnips are consumed. They should never be allowed on 
more turnips than they will consume in two days and nights. 
One thousand head will consume one acre of good turnips 
every twenty-four hours, and the estimate can be made from 
this basis. A portable fence should be used to fence off a 
few acres at a time, and the sheep kept on this plat until 
the turnips are consumed. 

Some farmers, and it is a most excellent idea, use hurdles 
to confine the sheep to pastures, as well as to turnip fields. 
Hurdles are made in the following manner : Take a four- 
square scantling, any length desired, and bore holes 
through it at right angles, one on each side alternately, 
about ten inches apart. Then put through these holes stakes 
six feet long. The holes should be two inches in diameter, 
and the stakes should be of good tough white oak. When 
completed, it will have the stakes projecting in four direc- 
tions three feet long. Laid upon the ground it presents a 
chevaux-de-frise that no sheep will jump. A double row of 



[85] 

these laid across a clover lot enclosing ten or fifteen feet in 
Avidth will confine the sheep to that spot, and prevent tramp- 
ing and picking over the whole field. Not only this, but 
when they have passed over the field, which is done by sim- 
ply rolling the double racks which they resemble, over and 
over, as the clover is eaten clean, the clover in the rear has 
renewed itself, and is ready for another going over. This 
plan applies not only to clover, but to any other kind of 
pasturage, such as sorghum, rye, Egyptian grass, or any of 
those cultivated grasses that will grow from the stub after 
being eaten down. 

By judicious management of this hurdle a field infested 
M'ith noxious weeds can be cleaned completely of them, and 
at the same time brought to a surpassing state of fertility. 

But it is not always the case the farmer wishes to feed 
the turnips on the ground. They are then, as before stated, 
gathered before any hard freezing weather comes on, say 
about the 10th or 15th November, in this climate, and 
banked. They are now taken out and fed to the sheep as 
requirerl. It is a great waste to feed them whole. Va- 
rious plans are pursued to lessen the difficulty. Some boil 
them, and mix meal with them. But this involves so much 
time and trouble few will keep it up long. A more conve- 
nient plan is to cut or pulp them. *A cheap machine that 
-any one can construct for himself is to fasten four or 
six rough knives to a circular plank with a crank like 
that attached to a grind-stone. The knives must be 
screwed on the side next the hopper, and turned out to suit 
the size of the slice wished to be cut. A hopper holding a 
bushel is set on the frame, with the side next the knives open 
to allow the turnips to fall against them. Turn the crank, 
and they are quickly sliced, and fall into a trough below. 
These slices placed in troughs, with a little meal and very 
little salt, will make a splendid food for sheep. They will 
be sufficient without meal. Another machine is, instead of 
knives on the wheel, to have projections of iron shaped like 



[86] 

a morticing chisel, the chisel part coming through the wheel 
in large numbers, say a hundred or more. These points 
striking the turnips will rapidly tear them into pulp. It is 
on the order of an apple-mill. The wheel could be of cast 
iron, cast with the ragged poiuts to answer the same pur- 
pose. Meal, oats or bran mixed with the pulp would make 
a most admirable food for fattening sheep. Oil cake is 
another food not much used heretofore in this country, but 
is rapidly coming into favor. So highly is this food es- 
teemed in England for fattening purposes, that the cotton, 
seed oil factories of Nashville ship all their oil cake to that 
far-off market, while our home farmers overlook its excel- 
lence. It abounds in nitrogenous principles, and makes thfr 
manure of animals fed from it of the most excellent char- 
acter. The time, however, is not far distant when this diet 
will find a market at our own doors. 

On every farm in the State of Tennessee may be seen the^ 
effects of careless culture, and this is especially the case on 
those farms that wholly or in part were devoted to cotton 
and tobacco in the ante helium days. This effect is seen 
in galled spots on the slopes of the hills, or in huge guUies,^ 
that make the slopes like sinuous ribs. It should be the 
duty and pride of every farmer to eradicate these evidences 
of thriftlessness from his place. This is no easy task under- 
ordinary circumstances, but it can be done with comparatively 
little work by the aid of a large flock of sheep. It is diffi- 
cult without their aid, from the fact that the earth has been 
denuded of any soil to give a start to vegetation, and it 
can be done only by vegetation. There must be enough of 
soil on the clay to enable the farmer to bind it there by 
grass or clover, when the soil will soon accumulate by de- 
cay, and the eyesore will disappear. This, I say, can read- 
ily be done by the aid of sheep in the following manner : 

Provide a number of portable troughs, made by nailing 
the edges of two wide planks together, forming a Y shaped 
trough. Then nail strips either across the top of the trough^ 



[87] 

or what is better, let the strips be raised in the center, mak- 
ing a point in the center which is raised, say a foot above 
the level of the trough, making a section of this appear- 
ance O. Under one end of the trough place a pair of 
rough wheels made of a circle of plank, and under the other 
end put a pair of legs marked thus ^ . Then attach to the 
end opposite to the wheels a pair of handles made of plank 
also, and nailed to the sides, and the portable trough is fin- 
ished. The raised strips will enable it to hold a consid- 
erable amount of hay, while the trough may contain any 
kind of food desirable to be fed them. This trough, or as 
many as may be required, should be placed on one of those 
galled spots, or among the gullies, where the sheep are fed, 
until the clay becomes black with their droppings, besides 
having large quantities trod into the earth by their feet. 
Then move it away, which is easily done by one man, to a 
fresh spot, and plowing up the place lately used, seed down 
with clover, grain or grass. Unless the farm is badly used 
up, it will soon be covered with verdure instead of being 
serried with gullies. 

We cannot close this chapter without once more calling 
attention to the necessity of proper protection to the sheep 
from the inclemencies of the weather either by a fold pro- 
vided with ample sheltering, or what is better, the fold and 
shelters about the farm for protection during the day. Sheep 
require protection from the sun as well as from cold. It is 
therefore proper on various parts of the farm, especially in 
those pastures that have been denuded of their shade trees, to 
erect sheds. These sheds can be made of the common clap- 
board—something like the sheds used by bricklayers— if a 
more elaborate building is not preferred. A. convenient 
plan, and an economical one, is to build a shelter at the 
junction of four fences, if such an one exists on the farm. 
It will thus be accessible to all four fields by being cased 
around five feet high with upright boards, and having a 
door opening into each field. 



88] 

Sheep should be constantly watched, and should any 
of them hecorae diseased, they should at once be removed 
from the others and placed to themselves to be doctored. 
It is often the case that the diseases are contagious, and the 
danger of communicating to the other sheep should be 
avoided. A whole flock is often lost by want of attention 
to this necessity of carefulness. 

To keep them in good heart frequent change of pasture 
is absolutely necessary. Sheep naturally love change, and 
one often wonders at the avidity shown in eating when 
passed from an old to a new field. If continued too long 
in one place they become restless, and will try to jump out 
and seek that relief their nature seems to require. To keep 
them quiet and contented, therefore, when they begin to 
wander about and become restless, change their quarters. 
The fields, if large, should be cut into smaller ones to accom- 
modate this peculiarity, or if they are on a range, let them 
be driven to another section. 



[89] 



CHAPTER VI. 

WINTER MANAGEMENT OF SHEEP — FOOD— FATTENING OP 

SHEEP. 

When the snows and frosts of winter conae on, the green 
succulent food of summer is destroyed, and a change has to 
take place in the character of the food. This change should 
be as gradual as possible to prevent derangement of the 
digestion of the animals. Therefore a short feed of dry 
food should be allowed before the grasses are entirely de- 
stroyed, unless the farm should be well set in blue- grass, 
which will keep the sheep supplied with a moderate support 
during the entire winter, except when the surface is covered 
with snow. Some of our Tennessee farms require the feed 
of sheep to be slightly supplemented with grains and hay, 
therefore one farmer seeing his neighbor with good lots 
allowing his flocks to get a total supply in his pastures is 
too apt, with insufficient grasses, to follow the example and 
not feed at all, or at least giving them such S3aut snpplies 
as happen to be at hand. They make no special provision 
for them, and are very much surprised in the spring to see 
their flocks poor, debilitated, and with ragged coats of wool 
stripping here and there in patches off tlieir sides. When 
one sets out to make sheep raising an object, he should sup- 
ply himself with all the appliances necessary to make it a 
success. It is a difficult matter to say which is the more 
important, good feeding or good shelters, for sheep cannot 
possibly thrive with the snows and cold rains of winter 
penetrating all through the fleece. It is trae sheep often, 
when supplied with shelter, will refuse it, preferring the 
open pasture, but this is when they have an abundance of 
good nourishing food. Many of our Middle Tennessee pas- 
tures are thickly set with shrub cedar, and this gives them a 



[90] 

fair shelter under ordinary circumstances. Besides this, a 
large portion of the " rim " lands of Tennessee, and all the 
mountain ranges, have a thick, heavy undergrowth of black 
jack, oak, hickory, and other sorts of trees, under which 
sheep are safely housed daring the rigors of winter. But 
these natural shelters must be supplemented with an abun- 
dance of good nourishing food; and right here is the expla- 
nation of the frequent failures of sheep-raising in the bar- 
rens and on the table-lands of the mountains. Persons go 
there with large flocks, and run them on the ranges through 
the summer, and are delighted to see them in fine condition 
in the fall. Seeing an abundance of grass covered by the 
falling leaves and long-bent grasses, they believe they can 
successfully carry them through the winter without further 
food than that afforded by nature. But the leaves have 
hid much of the grass, and the snows more, and the grass 
by constant moisture has its nutritious qualities washed out, 
so that what little the sheep get is procured with much diffi- 
culty, and this being quite innutritions, the stomach of the 
sheep really will not digest enough to keep up its condi- 
tion. Therefore they soon begin to lose flesh, the wool not 
receiving a proper nourishment is scant and rugged, and 
disease soon puts in to finish what starvation began. Thus 
it is that the cold bleak winds of March blow through 
them, destroying in some instances entire flocks. They will 
then pronounce anathemas against the country, and make 
every effort to deter others from making the same effort. 
On the contrary it rests solely with the flock-master whether 
or not the business should be a success. He should provide 
shelters sufficient to defend them from the severities of a 
mountain winter and store up food enough in his barns ta 
keep up the condition derived from the summer pasturage. 

To feed well, therefore, is the first duty of the shepherd,, 
and to supply shelters only so far as is requisite to defend 
them from unusual cold so as to keep up the standard of 
health, is the second duty. 



[91] 

But few of our farmers are able to supply themselves 
with large, expensive barns, such as are used by wealthy 
flock- masters of the North, who sell sheep at from |25 to 
$50 the pair, and it is therefore unnecessary to go into a 
lengthy detail of such descriptions, for such buildings are, 
owing to our mild climate, unnecessary. Rarely are our win- 
ters so severe that the cheap shed previously mentioned will 
not be found am ply, sufficient for all purposes. We shall 
confine ourselves to recommending such accommodations as 
are within the reach of every man who is able to own a 
flock of fifty or sixty sheep. A suitable site should be se- 
lected, and it should, if possible, be situated on the crown 
of an eminence, so that the water will flow in every direc- 
tion from the barn. If no such place prssents itself in a 
suitable location, some point should be chosen with a south- 
ern exposure. By all means avoid a north hill-side. Care 
should be taken to avoid a marshy or "crawfishy" spot, as 
no sheep c:in be kept in a healthy condition with wet feet 
all the time, as has been explained in a previous chapter. 
Then a yard should be laid off" containing a half acre for 
every fifty head of sheep, well fenced with planks or pick- 
ets, care being exercised to have it dog proof. I have 
already explained the convenience of erecting sheds around 
on the inside of this fence, under which to place racks to 
shelter their food. But these racks are not entirely suffi- 
cient to protect sheep from the inclemencies of a winter. 
Therefore, in addition to these racks and shelters, there 
should be built a large shelter in the enclosure. It should 
or can be made by simply setting posts in the ground, and 
then covering with clap-boards; afterwards set a row of the 
same boards, say four feet long, all around it, leaving the 
space between the ends of the boards and the plate of the 
shelter open, so as to admit free ventilation. The shelter 
should have a steep roof for two reasons : In the first place, 
unless it is steep, the roof being large, will leak, making it 
sloppy. Then it will, if steep, present a large store for the 



[92] 

hay designed for their food. Indeed it would be better to 
run joists across the barn about seven feet from the floor, 
which will add a large additional storage room. A trough 
should be set on the floor running with the eaves, same 
length with the shed, and a rack made to rest on a pole 
placed immediately above the trough, not so high but that 
the sheep can easily reach the hay. At the other end of the 
rack strips can rest upon the joists above, making a space 
six or seven feet across at the top. With this arrangement 
a man in the loft can easily flU the rack from the hay above, 
which can be pulled down by means of a hook on a pole 
within reach of the sheep as they eat it. Thus the sheep 
will have free access to food at all times of the day, and 
being of that class of animals called ruminant, they, in a 
state of nature, are perpetual feeders. Another plan, and 
it is a very good one, is to place the shed at one end of the 
enclosure, making one side and two ends serve the purpose 
of the fence. It is only necessary to build the center build- 
ing when the flock is over the ordinary size for 50, 75, or 
even* 100 head. The cheap shelters referred to will be suffi- 
cient to protect them, for aside from the nights, we rarely 
have weather sufficiently cold to make the shelter desirable 
all day; in fact it is more a protection against cold rains and 
ravages of dogs at night that these shelters are chiefly val- 
uable, for in Tennessee we never have the severe cold and 
deep snows that the Northern flockmasters have to contend 
with. Through our most severe winters we have but few 
days so cold that sheep will not leave shelter to graze. It 
is as important, however, for our farmers to have such shel- 
ters as we have described in order to be successful in sheep- 
husbandry, as it is for the Northern farmer to have his close 
and expensive barn, for the cold rains of the South are as 
apt to produce disease in our flocks as the deep snows and 
icy winds of the North are to produce famine. 

One thing is essential in making these protective build- 
ings, and that is they ought to be clean. There must not be 



[93] 

any more mud or slush around the building than is possible, 
and the floor, whether of the earth or of plank, must be 
strewed with straw for bedding. It should be the duty of 
one hand, at least twice a week, to rake up and cart out all 
the droppings and the old straw that have become saturated 
with the urine. If the manure heap is made within the 
enclosure, it must be so arranged that the sheep cannot sleep 
on it. If allowed, its warmth ensuing from fermentation, 
will be an invitation to the sheep to sleep on it. The gases, 
especially ammonia, arising from it, will have a verj^ delete- 
rious effect on their health. It is therefore absolutely requi- 
site to have it without the enclosure or protect it from them. 

To more effectually prevent the yard from becoming a 
slough of mud, it is better that the eaves of the shed should 
be guttered with either tin or two planks nailed edges to- 
gether, forming a trough which, with a little attention, will 
answer all the purposes of a more expensive arrangement. 
This is more easily accomplished when the shed forms one 
end of the enclosure. Should, however, the shed be in the 
center of the enclosure, the water must still be conveyed 
from the yard by means of troughs, as otherwise in the 
winter it would be very difficult to keep it in a dry condi- 
tion, and sheep more than any other animal require dryness 
under foot. 

There is very little or no care bestowed upon the cleaning 
up and gathering together of sheep manure in our State. 
We are hereditarily a slovenly people in farming, and the 
value of manure has never been a factor in estimating the 
value of farm products. Sheep manure, from its coldness, 
does not easily ferment like horse dung, and therefore re- 
tains its value much longer than the excrement of the 
horse or man. It ranks among the very best of the ma- 
nures produced by animals, especially from those sheep that 
are fed with rich food for fattening purposes. As has been 
already stated, the mastication of sheep is so perfect 
there is no danger of weed seeds coming up after having 



[94] 

passed through the stomach of a sheep. Both the urine and 
<lung are very rich in ferdlizing properties. Urea, the ac- 
tive principle of urine, has a large quantity of nitrogen in 
it, and sheep's urine contains, according to one of our best 
analysts, 28 parts of urea in every 1,000 parts, and 12 parts 
of salts, among which is a large proportion of phosphoric 
acid. In one hundred parts of the dung of sheep there are 
68 per cent, of water, 19.3 of animal and vegetable matter, 
and 12.7 per cent, of saline matters. This 19.3 per cent, of 
organic matter contains as much nitrogen, which is the value 
of manure's chiefly, as 43 parts of horse dung, 63 parts of 
hog manure, or 125 parts of cow dung, and is equal to 
100 parts of the ordinary stable or barnyard manure. It is 
much drier than other manures, having but little water, 
comparatively speaking. For instance, let a horse receive 
100 parts of dry fodder, and he will defecate 216 pounds of 
fresh manure, which being dried, makes 46 pounds of dry 
manure, while the sheep with the same food would give but 
128 pounds of fresh manure, making 43 pounds of dried. 
This is manure made with the ordinary method of feeding, 
such as hay, fodder, and such grass as they can pick up. 
But when sheep are fed with grain or other highly stimu- 
lating food for fattening purposes, with food rich in albu- 
men and phosphates, the oil and starch only are assimilated 
and go to the formation of fat and flesh, while the re- 
mainder, including the larger part of the salts, goes to the 
manure heap, thus adding very greatly to its value as a land 
application. This fact has long been known and used to 
the improvement of land by the English farmer, and must 
be learned and practiced by our people. The declining fer- 
tility of our soils calls loudly for all the aid we can give it, 
and it is time to recognize the fact that if we continue to 
draw from the land, and never put anything to it, it will 
after awhile cease to respond to our calls upon it. 

We dislike to repeat, but with the danger of being charged 
with too much repetition, we must once again call attention 



[95] 

to the value of oil cake in feeding, not only as a diet that 
rapidly promotes the collection of flesh and fat, but as a 
powerful addition to the manurial value of the barnyard. 
Those who have triea it are delighted with its effects. It is 
very rich in oil, and the manure falling from the cake fed 
animal possesses a value beyond estimation. This fact has 
long been recognized in England, and that is why the oil 
cake from our oil factories is shipped to England instead 
of finding a market here at home. It is plain, however, 
that the reason is, because the fewest numbers of farmers, 
and I say it with great reluctance, save their manure at all. 
Those few who do, place no particular estimate on any given 
quality it may have, being content to spread whatever they 
happen to have, satisfying themselves if it is only ma- 
nure. The dung of cattle or sheep fed on oil cake is so 
vastly enriched that it may be spread on a greatly extended 
area with far better results than can be obtained from ordi- 
nary manure of a much larger bulk, and the color of the 
grass or grain is darker, and can be discerned to the very 
row. Not only is it better in the long run, but its action 
is quickly seen, and its effects will remain long after the 
presence of the manure cannot be detected in the soil. Nor in 
the case of sheep does it require the tedious process of 
spreading, for they themselves distribute it so regularly and 
uniformly over a field that every blade of grass and every 
root receives its share, and by a more luxuriant growth 
shows the presence of the stimulant. 

In estimating the size of sheds for sheep, 10 foot square, 
according to the most approved plans North, are generally 
allotted to each sheep. This, however, is more space than 
necessary in our climate, for the reason mentioned above, that 
it is only at night, and on cold, rainy days) that the sheep 
husbandmen in Tennessee require this shelter. The flocks 
with us are not confined to this limited space on account of 
snows or excessively cold weather, for weeks at a time, like 
they are in the less favored regions North. A shed 20 feet 



1196] 

wide and 50 feet long will comfortably shelter 125 to 150 
gheep. It will be economy for the farmer to bed down 
under the shed with straw. Not only will it make an excel- 
lent article of manure, but it will protect the fleece from 
dirt, give a dry footing for the sheep, and make them more 
comfortable. For this purpose a good thick coating of straw 
should be first spread out. In a week's time this will be 
pretty evenly packed down and well saturated with urine, 
and covered with manure. A complete covering of fresh, 
clean straw should be spread over this, and as soon as it be- 
comes soiled it should be removed, and a fresh layer spread 
out. If the sheep are housed every night the bedding 
should be renewed at least once a week. 

In making racks for hay care should be taken to make 
them so close together as to prevent the sheep from getting 
their heads hung between the bars, and thus slaughtering 
them as is often the case, or they should be placed so far 
apart that they can easily thrust in and withdraw their heads. 
The ends of the racks should have bars placed across them 
or a fine young lamb will be found tangled in the bars occa- 
sionally, chilled to death. Three and a half or six inches 
should be the rule. In the first distance they cannot get 
in and in the latter they can get out. 

WINTER FOOD. 

This important subject will have to be treated under two 
heads, according to the requirements of the case. Under 
ordinary circumstances but little attention is paid to the diet 
of sheep save by those who have some extra fine sheep for 
sale. The large majority of Tennessee farmers run their 
flocks on the commons or on a fair winter pasture, and only 
feed during excessive cold .rains or snow, and then in a very 
limited manner. The old rule of ante bellum farmers was 
one ear of corn to every ten sheep, which simply amounts 
to no feed at all. This was ij^jaddiiion to a few dirty shucks 
or the most inferior fodder,^'^iey had no hay, and the freedom 



[97] 

of a pile, not a rack or stack, of straw. To excuse them- 
selves from stinginess, some old gentleman originated the 
idea that corn caused them to shed their wool. It no doubt 
had that effect in the quantity fed, but it was the want of it 
rather than the use of it. Many a poor sheep has bleached 
its bones upon the hillsides of Tennessee, a victim to this false 
aphorism. 

Attention to the diet therefore falls under two heads; 
first, stock sheep; second, fattening sheep for mutton. 

FEEDING STOCK SHEEP. 

Fortunately for the Southern farmer there is no want of 
variety of food for sheep. Besides the winter pastures, such 
as blue-grass, mosses, barren grasses, rye, wheat and barley, 
we have hay of various kinds, such as timothy, herd's-grass, 
orchard grass, clovers, sorghum and dhoura; we have 
straws, pea vines, fodder, oats, peas, beans, corn, barley, rye, 
cotton seed and oil-cake, bran, meal, turnips, beets, carrots, 
rutabagas, mangel- wurtzel, and in fact our list of diet is equal 
to the bills of fare of the most fashionable hotels of the 
country. The sheep as nearly as any other is an omniv- 
orous animal, and they will thrive on anything, from the 
buds and twigs of a thicket to the best of animal food. As 
has been already stated, but little special preparation is made 
for a flock of sheep, the owner being content to carry them 
through a winter on anything that may be at hand, in most 
instances contenting himself to let the sheep barely subsist 
upon the scant pickings of the field or forest. But as this 
■work is not intended for a merely reading book, but to give 
such instruction to those seeking it as will enable them suc- 
cessfully to, not only carry their flocks alive through a win- 
ter, but to have them fit for market at any time during the 
year they may wish to convert them into food. Therefore 
we will first examine into the relative value of the different 
kinds of food, as the amount of nutrition each may contain 
7 



[98] 

determines their relative value in dollars and cents. It may 
be that many of our readers will engage or are already em- 
barked in the business of fattening sheep for market on a 
small farm where it is impossible for them to raise their 
own produce. When they have to go on the market for thier 
barn supplies it is a matter of no little importance to know 
which or what kind of food combines the more nutritious 
substances at a given cost. The appended tables will to 
such an one be invaluable. 

Organic Flesh Fat starch Crude 
In 100 parts of Water. Ash. matter, formers. gum. fibre. 

Meadow hay 14.3 6.2 79.5 8.2 41.3 30 

Bed clover hay ...16.7 6.2 77.1 13.4 29.9 35.8 

Pea straw 14.3 4.0 81.7 6.5 35.2 40.0 

Bean straw 17.3 5.0 77.7 10.2 33.5 34.0 

Wheat straw 14.3 5.5 80.0 2.0 30.2 48.0 

Eye straw 14.2 3.2 82.5 1.5 27.0 54.0 

Barley straw 14.3 7.0 78.7 3.0 32.7 43.0 

Oat straw ..14.3 5.0 80.7 2.5 38.2 40.0 

Corn fodder 14.0 4.0 82.0 3.0 39.0 40.0 

These analyses are taken from the hay cut in the blossom. 
If allowed to get fully ripe the crude fibre is largely increased 
and a corresponding depreciation of the fat and flesh form- 
ing principles ensues. 

COMPARATIVE VALUE AS TO NTJTEITION OF THE SAME MATERIALS IN ONE 
HtHNDRED PARTS, TAKING ENGLISH OR MEADOW HAY AS A BASIS. 

Meadow or English hay 10.0 

Clover hay 12.5 

Pea straw 16.5 

Bean straw 18.6 

Wheat straw 2,0 

Eye straw 1.6 

Barley straw 2.0 

Oat straw 1.8 

Corn fodder.., 2.5 

Now in order to produce the same nutrition in an animal 
that ten pounds of meadow hay would give, there will have 
to be fed of 



[99] 

Clover hay 8 pounds. 

Peastraw , 6 pounds. 

Bean straw 5J pounds. 

Wheat straw.: 52 pounds. 

Eye straw 61 pounds. 

Barley straw 52 pounds. 

Oat straw 55 pounds. 

Corn fodder 40 pounds. 

Some allowances will have to be made for the various 
kinds of straw and hay, as much, indeed a large part, de- 
pends on the time of cutting, manner of curing and storing; 
the same hay or straw under different circumstances pre- 
senting very different nutritive effects. It will be a difficult 
matter to persuade our Tennessee farmers that corn fodder 
is four times less valuable than hay, as many of us believe 
it is almost equal, and many, that it is superior to any kind 
of hay. These analyses are from Professor Way, and he 
frankly admits that the fodder is estimated. We think his 
estimate is below its value, from the fact that this roughness 
has always heretofore, and still is, largely relied on to the 
exclusion of all others. 

It however becomes very apparent from the insight given 
by these tables, that our usual method of depending on a 
pile of straw to feed cattle or sheep is a very precarious way 
of keeping them in order, or even alive. It is true the straws 
have a value, but just think for one moment of the amount of 
straw that must enter a sheep's stomach to enable it to live. 
It would not be impossible for a sheep to consume ten pounds 
of hay in a day, and yet to procure the same amount of nutri- 
tion that sheep must eat of wheat straw 52 pounds, of rye 
straw 61 pounds, and of oat straw 55 pounds. It is very 
evident from this tabulation that if they had no other food 
they would starve to death. With the addition of grain, or 
some other of the more concentrated forms of food, they can 
do very well with a constant access to the straw pile. 

Our Northern brethren have long since adopted a system 
of raising quantities of roots adequate#to the necessities of 



[1001 

the flock. This has so long been practiced by our English 
cousins that no farmer thinks of encountering a winter with- 
out a supply of roots in his cellar. It is proper we should * 
imitate these customs that are amply proved to be beneficial, 
not only in affording food, but in keeping the flocks in a 
good state of health. It is true the roots do not contain a 
very great quantity of nourishment, but the large amount 
of water in their composition tends, in a great measure, to 
compensate for the dry fodders they otherwise would be con- 
fined to at this season of the year. To give a just idea of 
their value, we append a table from the work of Drs. 
Voelcker and Lankester, giving the value of each in one 
hundred parts. 

TABLE or IfTUTEITIVE VALUE OF ROOTS. 

Flesh Fat Woody 

Water. formers. formers. fibre. Ash. 

Sugar Beets 81.05 1.00 15.40 1.03 .80 

Mangel-Wurtzels 87.78 1.54 8.60 1.12 .96 

Eutabagas 89.40 1.44 5.93 2.54 .62 

Yellow Aberdeen Turnip... 90.57 1.80 4.64 2.34 .65 

Large Globe Turnip 90.43 1.14 2.96 2.00 1.02 

Carrot 85.00 1.50 10.80 1.70 1.00 

It will be seen by this table that a large proportion of 
roots is water, and yet, with all this, they are highly prized,, 
not only for the beneficial effect they have upon the health 
and growth of sheep, but experience has demonstrated the 
fact that sheep fed largely on roots have a very fine lustrous 
wool, especially on the long wool species. The quantity of 
roots to be fed depends on the size and age of the sheep, old 
and large sheep requiring a larger allowance of roots than 
young or smaller ones. They should be always combined 
with hay, and the largest quantity given should not be more 
than one bushel to every ten sheep. As to the manner of 
its preparation, that has already been noticed. Cut or 
pulped up, and with a little bran or meal scattered over it, 
with a rack full of hay, the sheep need not go through a 
winter half starve^ and with poor wool, but will come 



[101] 

through in fine order; the lambs will be good, and will 
grow oif in a corresponding manner. 

It has already been stated that one acre of average turnips 
will yield about 800 to 1,000 bushels. The yield of beets 
and rutabagas will make but little less if any. One can 
therefore soon make an estimate as to the number of acres 
of roots necessary to winter a flock of sheep of any given 
number. One acre- of roots will make say 800 bushels. 
This amount will feed 100 sheep 80 days, together with a 
small modicum of hay, say one pound per day, and a gill of 
meal to each sheep. Now, estimating the number of feeding 
months to be five, beginning with the 1st of November and 
ending 1st of April, it will require to carry, in prime order 
through that period, 100 sheep, 1,500 bushels of roots or the 
product of two acres, or at the most, three acres of good 
land. In addition to this it will require about four tons of 
hay and about forty-five bushels of meal. Of course this 
is a most liberal allowance, and the calculation is based upon 
the idea that they have nothing else whatever to eat. 
Owing to our mild climate and generous pastures, there iej 
not one winter in twenty that our sheep will require such 
abundance of food. It is perfectly safe to say that one-half 
the amount of roots and meal mentioned above will be, in 
addition to the grass they will have through almost the en- 
tire winter, ample food to keep them in thrifty condition, 
and if the above rations were fed to them in addition to the 
pasturage, th^ would, in a few weeks, be almost too fat even 
for a butcher. None but those intended for the shambles 
should be fed so extravagantly. Breeding ewes should be 
fed liberally, especially after lambing, but to gorge them on 
rich food before lambing has a tendency to make them 
abort, and by taking on a superabundance of fat, cause them 
to become barren. It will be found best to change their 
food often, and at no time give them more rich food, such as 
turnips, beets, oil- cake, etc., than they will eagerly eat up. 

There must be a constant supply of salt also and good 



[102] 

clear water. The mustard patch heretofore spoken of is a 
fine stimulant to the appetite during winter months. We- 
refer the reader to the article on rye, wheat and barley pas- 
tures, which will be sufficient with the addition of very little 
grain indeed to take them well and fat through the cold 
months in Tennessee. 

FATTENING SHEEP FOE MUTTON. 

Much consideration is due to the age and previous condi- 
tion of a sheep that is going to be prepared for market. 
From this circumstance it is absolutely necessary that the 
flock should be divided. The age must be thought of, 
whether it is growing or is in a state of maturity, whether 
there is a drain upon its powers as in the case of an ewe 
being with or suckling a lamb, or whether a ram is serving 
females. The flock should be graded to these views, and 
different quarters provided for each class. We give the fol- 
lowing experiment of Dr. Yoelcker, of the Eoyal Agricul- 
tural Society of England, as a sort of guide for giving the 
proper quantity and quality of different kinds of food : 

He fed four sheep seven weeks and they consumed 196- 
pounds clover hay, 49 pounds linseed oil-cake, 3,743 pounds 
mangel-wurtzeis, which gave a daily ration to each animal 
of 1 pound clover hay, 4 ounces oil-cake, and 19J pounds 
mangels. The nutritive elements contained in this daily 
ration, according to our table, was 4| ounces flesh formers, 
53 J ounces fat formers, and 4f ounces of n^eral matters^ 
Here is the effect. 

Weight at At end of Gain of each 

commencement. seven weeks. in weight. 

No. 1 153 pounds. 1701- pounds. 17J pounds. 

No. 2 134 " 151^: " 17i " 

No. 3 170 " 187 " 17 " 

No. 4 ]35 " 155 " 20 " 

Each sheep gained on an average one pound in three days,, 
or one pound for every fifty-six pounds of food consumed ; 
or for every sixty-two ounces of dry matter contained in the 
food. It has been demonstrated by frequent experiment 



[103] 

that one hundred pounds of roots fed in a yard with shelters 
will give one pound of live weight to the sheep, or if fed in 
an open pasture without protection it will require one hun- 
dred and fifty pounds to produce the same result, or one- 
third more, and this relative proportion will hold with re- 
gard to all other kinds of feeding. If one and one-half 
pounds of oil-cake is given daily, the increase is two pounds 
for every 100 pounds of roots, which shows that four and 
one-half pounds of oil-cake will make one pound of 
mutton. When peas, beans and hay were fed with 
the roots it was found that eight pounds of the 
mixed grain would make one pound increase in weight, 
and oats fed with roots shows that seven pounds of 
oats, with the same quantity of roots as fed before, will 
give one pound of increase. Six pounds of barley would 
produce the same result. Messrs. Lawes and Gilbert in the 
course of experiments, established the fact, that to produce 
100 pounds of mutton it was necessary to feed 272J pounds 
of oil-cake, 252| pounds clover hay, and 3753 pounds of 
roots (rutabagas). These experiments are recorded in the 
Journal of the Royal Agricultural Society. In summing 
up, they, taking into consideration the various conditions of 
the animals, the varying value of the feed and its quality, 
and all the circumstances of disturbance and repose in which 
a flock may be kept, came to the conclusion that, to produce 
one pound of flesh, it would be necessary to feed the follow- 
ing substances under a shelter, as it would require an addi- 
tion of one-half of each food to attain the same result in the 
open pasture. This calculation too is based upon the idea 
of there being no other food in reach. It is as follows : 

Eutabagasfed undercover 100 pounds. 

Good clover nay -^■^ 

Q a 

Beans or Peas '^ 

Oats ' 

ft " 
Barlev ° 

Linseed oil-cake meal " 

Linseed oil-cake meal and peas mixed '^•> 



[104] 

Now the last item in this case shows curiously enough 
the value of mixed food. Of the oil cake it requires 
six pounds to produce one of flesh, and of peas it re- 
quires eight pounds, yet mix the two together, and it only 
takes four and a hidf pounds, or three-fourths of the quan- 
tity when mixed. 

Turnips are more commonly raised for sheep food than 
any other root crop, but it is the result only of habit, and 
it is time the old rut should be abandoned and a new path 
marked out. As said before, few of our Tennessee farnaers 
raise roots of any kind, but if once the habit of feeding 
with roots was established they would never fail in it after- 
wards. The large amount of water in roots prepares the 
food in the best possible manner for digestion, especially 
when a little meal is sprinkled over it. Of all roots, how- 
ever, the sugar beet is preferable, as will be seen by the 
table, which is univerally sanctioned by experience. It is 
just as easily raised as the turnip, and is much easier kept. 
Sheep are very fond of it too, and will greedily devour 
every particle of it. The crop properly cultivated will yield 
from 600 to 1,000 bushels per acre. 

They should be planted as soon as the soil can be put in 
proper condition in the spring. The ground requires the 
same preparation as to thorough tilth as for turnips, and 
should be mellow and well manured. After proper prepa- 
tion it should be thrown up into ridges with a turning plow, 
and if possible planted with a seed-drill, which will distrib- 
ute the seeds far more equally than can be done by hand, as 
from the rough nature of the seed it is difficult to sow it 
by hand sowing. Should the crop come up unequal- 
ly, they can be easily thinned out and re-set, doing just 
as well as if coming up from seed. The transplanting 
should take place after a rain, when the ground is thor- 
oughly wet, and while very young. Wring off the most of 
the tops before planting, and every one will live. Leave 
them about eight inches apart in the furrow, and they will 



[105 1 

grow to fill up the spice. They grow for the most part out 
of the ground, so that but little trouble is met with in pull- 
ing them from the banks. They should be put up in hills, 
and covered just as directed for turnips, unless the farmer 
should be blessed with a root cellar. From ten to twelve 
pounds should be given at a feed. There are various meth- 
ods of feeding. Some farmers prepare the food, and put 
enough in at the morning feeding time to last all day, while 
others keep the troughs supplied all the time, only replen- 
ishing when the supply is about gone. But it is far better 
to feed three times a day at a regular hour, and only give 
enough, as can soon be ascertained by experience, to enable 
the sheep to clean the troughs at each feed. When more is 
given than they can eat, they will play and stamp on it, 
getting it so defiled they will not enjoy it, and only eating 
in case of hunger. Besides fresh food stimulates the ap- 
petite so that they will eat more than if they are surfeited 
at one feed. 

*' One of the most marked advantages of the South," says 
Mr. John Ij. Hayes, " is the ability to grow grasses which 
may be pastured in winter. Thus the cost of cutting the 
grass and saving the hire of the barn for storing it, and the 
cost of feetling it out, are dispensed with; while succulent 
food, which at the North must be provided for by storing 
roots and vegetables, is afforded throughout the year. By 
the aid of winter grasses it is perfectly practicable through- 
out a large portion of the South to raise sheep without other 
cost than the interest on the land and the value of the salt. 
Oats, barley and rye sown in the fall may be grazed during 
the winter without injury to the crop of grain, as is fre- 
quently done; but they must be sown annually, and are in- 
ferior to permanent grass pastures. The meadow oat, 
orchard and blue grass, with wild rye or Tyrrell grass, are 
chiefly relied on for permanent winter-green pasture." 

Mr. Hayes might have added that for the latitude of 
Tennessee winter wheat furnishes more good grazing for 



[106] 

sheep than any other grain. A farmer who habitually sows 
one hundred acres in wheat can subsist a flock of fifty sheep 
throughout the winter without any injury to the wheat. In 
fact experience shows that a wheat field very forward is 
greatly benefitted by being grazed by sheep. It checks the 
growth, and secures it against untimely frosts in April or 
May. Throughout the wheat growing counties of Tennes- 
see nine- tenths of the sheep are supplied bountifully with 
green food by the wheat fields alone, and are kept in a 
thriving condition. In a record kept for ten years by the 
writer, who lives on the northern boundary of the State, it 
appears that it has been necessary to feed sheep on an aver- 
age only about twenty days during the winter months where 
two acres of wheat to the sheep have been sown. 

But in those portions of the State where but a small 
amount of wheat is sown, it is necessary to feed as has been 
directed in the foregoing part of this chapter. Especially 
is this the case in the elevated or mountainous parts of the 
State. The greatest difficulty in raising sheep in the wheat 
growing sections is in giving timely attention to lambs in 
bad weather. When dropped in the open fields, especially 
during wet or very cold weather, many of them perish be- 
fore they are able to follow the ewes, or are often left by the 
ewes where dropped. Attention at this time until the lambs 
are strong will insure a rapid increase in the flock. 

Absolute quiet is a necessary requisite in fattening sheep. 
The whole flock should be made so gentle that every sheep 
will lick salt or take food from the flock-master's hand. No 
animal is more easily gentled than a sheep, and none thrive 
more by it. If dogs are allowed to go near them, and they 
are continually frightened, they will become so demoralized 
they will actually suffer from hunger while the troughs are 
full. There should be as little passing through the lot as 
possible, and they should have perfect repose. In a condi- 
tion of peace they will thrive aj)ace, and in six or eight 
weeks will be well fattened, for it only requires a short time 



[107] 

under favorable circumstances to get a wether in prime 
order. Confining fattening sheep within a small enclosure 
has the same effect as it does with all other domestic animals, 
producing a torpor, and thus promoting the taking on of 
flesh. This does not apply however to stock or breeding 
sheep, as the want of exercise begets a plethora in a ewe 
that is naturally disposed to it in that condition, and it in- 
jures the lamb, making it small and weak. 

Fattening sheep for market is an industry, though very 
common in the vicinity of large cities, but little indulged in 
through this section. The construction of railroads, how- 
ever, has made it a business that can be profitably carried 
on as well here as elsewhere, the transportation to market 
being fully compensated by the cheapness of the necessary 
food. Should a farmer desire to engage in the butiness he 
should devote his whole energies, time and attention to it. 
The fattening sheep should be kept apart from the stock 
sheep, indeed it is not customary for one engaged in this 
branch to devote much capital to the rearing of sheep. It 
now and then happens in a large lot that some are of neces- 
sity put upon pasturage or sold. The most successful men 
ore those who have but a limited area of land, and that is 
devoted to the fattening process entirely. 

In the first place it is necessary to state that in buying 
the stock the money is made. It will not pay to buy the 
common native sheep for that purpose. They will not take 
on flesh properly, and besides being of a roving disposition, 
the confinement necessary for fattening is irksome to them, 
and they will trot around the enclosure bleating, refusing to 
eat, until, with waste and spoiling, the food is rendered 
worthless. Therefore purchases should be confined to grade 
sheep of either Cotswold, Southdown or Merino crosses. 
The two first named are excellent varieties, the dark faces 
of the Southdown especially are very attractive to a butcher. 
The Southdowns make a fine tender mutton, but do not at- 
tain the same proportions as the Cotswold. It is no unu- 



[108] 

sual thing to find sheep of this breed weighing two hundred 
to two hundred and fifty pounds. The people of Tennessee 
are but little accustomed to see first-class mutton, such as is 
shown upon the stalls of a New York market, and conse- 
quently they will have to be educated to pay the fancy 
prices obtained there. It is no unusual thing there for a 
farmer to get 8J to 10 cents per pound, while here with our 
ordinary wethers we are content to receive 5 and 6 cents 
per pound. But if the sheep are brought to the same con- 
dition here, the farmer who feeds them will easily get a fig- 
ure far in advance of any of the ordinary prices now paid. 
A statement of Mr. Jurian Winne, of Albany county. New 
York, in regard to fattening sheep, in the Agricultural De- 
partment of the Patent Office, for the year 1869, will give 
some idea to our Southern farmers of how the thing is done 
better than a long description. He has followed it for years 
and amassed a large fortune by it. In this year he made 
but a small profit, from the fact that instead of buying him- 
self, he sent out agents, and they paid very extravagant 
prices, and as already stated, the great profit lies in the pur- 
chase of the stock. The extremely heavy snows of winter, 
or rather late in the spring, kept him feeding longer than 
necessary, involving a considerable loss also. Still the final 
result is very satisfactory when we consider the small capi- 
tal invested. Here is an abstract of his proceedings: 

585 coarse-wool sheep cost him, with a small sum paid for 
pastures while gathering them up, December 1st, 1869, at 
$8.20 per head $4,797 00 

He sold 140 of these before he began feeding at 8J cts., weight 

130 pounds average 1,547 00 

Which leaves the cost of 445 sheep $3,250 00 

Feb. 14, 1870, he bought 180 fine-wool sheep at $7.56 per 100 

pounds weight— 18,580 1,424 65 

Total cost of all at start $4,674 65 

EXPENDITURES. 

1,245 bushels corn at $1.00 $1,245 00 

8 tons mill feed 204 00 



[109] 

300 bushels oats 150 00 

134 bushels peas and oats 71 32 

60 bushels barley 42 00 

on meal 76 12 

40tons hay 320 00 

Salt 20 00 

Attendance — one man 120 00 

Expense of selling 61 12 

Total $2,309 5(> 

This amount, $2,309 56, added to cost 4,674 65 

Makes a total for the fatted sheep $6,984 21 

SALES ACCOUNT. 

April 7, 1870 — 247 coarse-wool sheep, weight 37,860 pounds, at 

91 cts.net $3,502 05 

April 14, 1870 — 184 coarse-wool sheep, weight 28,320 pounds, 

at9icnet 2,690 40 

180 fine-wool sheep, weight 19,730 pounds, at 9^c. net 1,800 36 

2 sheep with lambs 20 00 

8 sheep butchered and sold > 85 00 

4 sheep died — lost. 

Total sales $8,097 81 

Net profit, besides manure $1,113 60 

The manure, judiciously used, forms no inconsiderable 
item in the above calculation. In this case, thou|jh not by 
any means a fair test, the owner derived a profit on the 
whole lot of about $1.80 per head, but on the fine wool 
sheep it was about $2.47 per head, and they were only fed 
two months. In the above case it may be observed there 
was no stint of feed ; on the contrary, they received as much 
again as would be necessary in our milder climate. It is 
true the proximity to a large and favorable market caused 
a big price to be received for them, but at the same time 
here the sheep could have been bought for less than half 
the price paid, and the provender would not have cost more 
than one-third the amount it cost tlr'ere. On the whole, the 
profit, considering the duration of the investment, was ex- 
tremely fair, and it can be made here at the same or a bet- 
ter ratio. 



[110] 

It is the custom of many feeders to buy and sell contin- 
uously. They keep a large feeding lot, and keep a buyer 
out all the time, and every few days the flook is culled of 
all suitably fat. In this way there is no remission of buy- 
ing or selling. There will for a few years yet be some dif- 
ficulty in getting the sorts most profitable for fattening, the 
grade breeds, but that is gradually being overcome as the 
stock of sheep is being rapidly improved throughout the 
State. There are in almost every section of the State pub- 
lic-spirited men who devote their entire energies to the pro- 
duction of full blooded sheep, relying for their profits on 
retailing here and there a ram or ewe, and sometimes a pair, 
to their less enterprising neighbors, and this plan is fast 
improving the breeds of every neighborhood. In fact, only 
the "barrens" of the "rim" and the mountain lands are 
wholly given up to the unadulterated native sheep, and 
from these counties the ewes that go to the production of 
grade sheep are principally derived. The time is not far 
distant when the long-legged, naked-bellied native will dis- 
appear from our State altogether. 

There is yet another class of sheep- raisers, who follow an 
entirely different system for profit, and inasmuch as they 
persist in it, we may suppose they find it profitable. They 
will make a selection of as many ewes as their farms can 
accommodate, in August. To every 35 or 40 ewes they 
will add a good Southdown or Cotswold buck, and put the 
ewes to them, say by the 15th of August. These ewes are 
kept in fine condition through the winter, and in the latter 
part of April they are sheared. The wool is sold ' as one 
part of the profit, and the lambs are sold off in the latter 
part of May, when the ewes are rapidly fattened and sold 
to the butchers. By the end of June the farmer has dis- 
posed of his entire floUc, when he will clean up his lots, 
spread his manure, and in a month is ready to tread again 
around the circle. By actual demonstration, the following 
account will exhibit the profits of this method of farming : 



[Ill] 

One hundred ewes at $2 $200 00 

Four rams at $10 40 00 

' . $240 00 

Average price of 80 lambs $240 00 

Four hundred pounds wool at 30 cts 120 00 

Four rams at $10 40 00 

One hundred fat sheep at $5 500 00 

$900 00 

The manure will well repay the attention given them, 
and the only money expense attending this transaction is 
the food necessary to be used during the hard weather of 
the winter. Those who follow this plan usually are well 
supplied with blue-grass pastures and the food raised on the 
place; so that, in selling the sheep, they really are only 
selling their crops at a full price, as well as utilizing the 
grass that would otherwise be lost. It may be objected 
that no de"duction is made for incidental loss of sheep; but 
every .flock-master will testify that the surplus of lambs 
over 80 per cent will fully compensate for all losses, unless 
the farmer is criminally negligent and suffers, for want of 
proper protection, his flocks to be destroyed by dogs and 
starvation. Here is a gross profit, on an investment of 
$240, of |660, and estimating the feed, over and above the 
grass, to be $1.50 a head, there is a net profit of |350. 
Remember, too, that the $300 go into his own pocket for 
farm produce, and we cannot think of anything a farmer 
can raise on his farm that will surpass this small invest- 
ment. By taking care in the purchase, he can often get the 
ewes for a less sum than here stated, and I am sure the 
prices received are of the most reasonable character. The 
earliest lambs, indeed, rarely sell below four dollars each, 
while the latest ones, provided they are good and fat, will 
bring the estimated price, $3.00. So this must be taken as 
a fair average experiment. 

Another gentleman bought 25 ewes in August, for which 
he paid $75. In the following May he sold the lams, num- 



[112] 

ber not stated, for $101. In May he sold a portion of the 
ewes for $98.70, and in June the balance for $72. He got 
$60 for the wool. Allowing the food to cost fifty cents per 
bead — and it did not exceed this, as grass was almost wholly 
used — and a net profit of $244.20 was realized. 

Summing up the whole subject, it may safely be asserted 
that in its various branches, whether as wool, mutton or 
lamb sales, there is no branch of agriculture that offers 
greater inducements to the farmer than sheep raising. The 
sum necessary to get a start is by all odds less than in any 
other branch of stock-raising, and its returns are quicker. 
Not only does it remunerate the farmer by replenishing his 
pocket, but it replenishes the land. The dilapidated condi- 
tion of so many of our Tennessee farms strongly points to 
some aiethod of agriculture that will arrest the great waste 
of soil and renew the lost fertility. This methoc^is feasible 
and cheap. I do not intend to enter into a long disserta- 
tion as to the profits of sheep-husbandry in general, or as 
to its value in Tennessee in particular, being content to 
simply give the most approved compendium of the subject, 
tested by the crucible of experience, and with the facts here 
given before the farmer he must be his own judge as to 
whether or not he will engage in the business. There is 
scarcely any person raised to the years of maturity in Ten- 
nessee who has not had more or less experience in the busi- 
ness, obtained by working with sheep himself or observation 
on the farms of others. This experience, however small, 
will render him a fit judge of the profits of the business. 
Should he have any doubts about it, let him begin on a 
very small scale — it is better, anyway, to do it — and then 
let him drive the business. He will be sufficiently taught 
in its details as he goes to avoid any serious mistakes. He 
may expect changes and variations in the amount of remu- 
neration from year to year, but no such slight matter should 
deter him. Let his mind be fully made up before entering 
the business, and then let him not drop off at the appear- 









SOUTHDOWN RAM. 




IHDOWN EWES. 




COTS WOOD RAM 




[113] 

ance of some ignis fatuus that promises to be a bonanza, 
but with eyes steadily fixed upon some point to be reached, 
strive to attain it. If he does this, and uses ordinary fore- 
sight and necessary precautions to the success of any busi- 
ness, he will without doubt attain it. 



[114] 



CHAPTER YII. 

THE MOST POPULAR BREEDS IN TENNESSEE. 

(See answers to questions in Appendix.) 

Of all the improved varieties the Sonthdowns, the Cots- 
wolds, and the Merino, in the order named, are the most 
popular with the breeders of Tennessee. 

SOUTHDOWNS. 

This breed has existed for more than two centuries in 
England on a range of chalky hills known as the South 
Downs, from which this breed derives its name. As late as 
1775 but little progress had been made in their improve- 
ment, and although noted somewhat then for their mutton 
qualities, they were small and inferior compared with the 
Southdowns of the present day. They are an upland sheep, 
of medium size, of round compact form, and their wool, in 
point of length, belongs to the middle class; it is deficient 
in felting properties, makes a fuzzy, hairy cloth, and is used 
by manufacturers in making worsteds. The average weight 
of fleece is from three to four pounds. 

This breed is cultivated more especially for its mutton 
qualities, and in this particular they take precedence of all 
others. They mature early, are industrious feeders, though 
not much disposed to roam, and they take on fat quickly 
and evenly over the entire carcass. They are prolific 
breeders, and good mothers. They are not as long lived as 
the Merino, and like most all other breeds their fleece de- 
creases in weight after they pass maturity. Thoroughbred 
rams of this breed are exceedingly valuable to cross upon 
the common ewes of the country, and it is estimated by com- 
petent and experienced breeders that the lambs from this 



[115] 

cross are worth from seventy- five cents to one dollar more 
per head than lambs of same age by a common ram. 

Of the three varieties mentioned at the commencement 
of this chapter the Southdowns, next to the Merinos, can 
best adapt themselves to any portion of the State, and while 
they are an upland sheep, and will thrive to perfection on^ 
the Table- lands, they will do equally as well on the rich 
pastures of the middle and western portions of the State, 
though in flocks of smaller size. They are growing more 
rapidly in popular favor South than either the Cotswolds or 
Merinos. One hundred ewes of this breed will have one 
hundred per cent, of lambs, the twins occurring as often as 
barren ewes. 

COTSWOLDS. 

This breed stands first of all others for the excellence and 
quality of the fleece for combing wool. It is strong and 
mellow, of good color, about from six to eight inches in 
length, and the fleece will average from seven to nine 
pounds. 

The Leicester or Bakewell were the first long-wooled 
sheep introduced into the State, and for many years they 
were unrivaled in popularity. Their fleece, though not 
quite so heavy as the Cotswolds of the present day, was 
finer in texture. They could not compete successfully, how- 
ever, with the heavier carcass, as well as fleece, of their 
more hardy rivals, and have almost entirely disappeared 
from the State to make room for the Cotswolds. 
> This breed do not rest their value alone upon their fleece, 
*but claim much merit as a mutton breed. On good pas- 
tures the matured sheep take on flesh quickly, but do not 
distribute it evenly like the Southdowns, but pack it in 
" patches " about on the carcass, neither do they " marble " 
their flesh (distribute the fat amongst the lean meat) like 
'the Southdowns. 

The ewes are very prolific breeders, and generally good 



[1161 

milkers. The lambs are large framed and hardy, and 
although not so apt to fatten from the start as Southdowns,. 
they are considered only second to them in mutton qualities. 
The rams from this breed are also extensively used upon the 
common ewes of the country with great benefit. No breed 
will make a more marked improvement on the common 
sheep than a Cotswold ram will when bred to scrub 
ewes. The first cross will oftentimes treble the weight 
of fleece, and at the same time greatly increase the size and 
improve the form of the native. On this account they are 
in great demand by those who desire to combine as far as 
practicable both fleece and mutton qualities in their flock. 
These advantages are referred to further on, where we speak 
of the different crosses and grades. 

The Cotswolds are of large, heavy frames, long, heavy 
fleece, are rather unwieldy, and not industrious feeders. 
Hence they are not so well adapted to the broken, hilly re- 
gions of East Tennessee, nor the hot sun and somewhat 
scant pastures of the southern and western portion of the 
State. They must have level pastures and a frosty climate 
to give the best results. Much can be done, however, by a 
proper system of breeding and acclimation. Some of the 
best results with Cotswolds in the State have come from a 
continued and systimatic course of breeding, beginning 
with the common scrub ewes. The experiment referred to 
was made by Col. Tom Crutchfield, of Hamilton county, 
and is mentioned elsewhere in this work. The result of 
his experiment is that with only several removes from the 
scrub ewe, he has a pure bred Cotswold sheep, heavy fleece 
of good quality, and a sheep well adapted to our Southern 
climate and undulating lands. These are equally as prolific 
as the Southdowns. 

MERINOS. 

This breed, although natives of a warm climate, become 
inured to extreme cold. They flourish as far north as 



[117] 

Sweden, but in such an extremely cold climate their wool 
loses much of the fine texture that characterizes it in its 
warm native land. This is the oldest breed of sheep known 
and most widely disseminated. The Merinos are the longest 
lived of all other breeds, and instances have come under 
our own observation where ewes fourteen years old would 
drop fine healthy lambs and raise them. They are not pro- 
lific breeders, in this- respect not equal to either of the other 
varieties. They are regular breeders, however, until seven 
or eight years old. Notwithstanding the longevity of the 
Merino, and the excellent health that is characteristic of 
this breed, the lambs, when first dropped, appear to be 
weaker and more delicate than those of any other breed. 
This is only the case, however, for a few dayt^, after which 
they seem at once to inherit the characteristic thrift and 
hardiness of their tribe, and the percentage of loss by a 
disease in a flock of Merinos, after the lambs are two or 
or three days old, is far less than that of any other breed of 
sheep. They are slow at arriving at maturity, and are not 
considered thoroughly done growing until they are three 
years old. This renders them, necessarily, the least desirable 
as a mutton sheep, although they are by no means inferior 
in this respect. They mature slowly, and do not take on 
fat as quickly as either of the other breeds; but after having 
reached maturity they fatten kindly. The flesh is firm- 
grained, and, as mutton, is juicy and well flavored. As the 
Merino is the oldest, it is also the hardiest of all other im- 
proved breeds. They are alike thrifty on uplands and on 
flats, in cold or warm climates, and on scant or luxuriant 
pasture. The various conditions under which this widely 
disseminated family of sheep are bred, change to some ex- 
tent the quality and quantity of their fleece, as well as the size 
of carcass ; but under all circumstances, and in the various 
climates, they are noted for their fine fleece and hardy con- 
stitutions, enabling them to herd in larger numbers than 
any other variety without detriment, or endangering the 



[118] 

health of the flock. These valuable qualities they transmit 
to their offspring to a great extent, and for this reason they 
are, as they deserve to be, the most valuable to cross upon 
the common sheep of the country. About eighty per cent., 
of lambs is about the usual average for the ewes. 

Considering the fact that Spain has been for many cen- 
turies the fountain head whence are derived the full blood 
of the Merino, it will be a matter of interest to many to 
read the subjoined pages from the report of D. J. Browne, 
who is an eminent author and traveler, and who wrote this 
for the Agricultural Bureau at Washington. It will also be 
a suggestive essay on sheep raising on the plateau lands of 
Tennessee ; nearly every thing done there can be done in 
Tennessee. To those who design following the business on, 
the plateau lands the following is especially commended : 

SHEEP HUSBANDRY IN SPAIN. 

In the course of my sojourn in Spain, in 1833, I made it 
a point to visit some of the sheep-walks, with the view of 
procuring such information from the shepherds relative to- 
the management of the Merino as could be drawn from 
them. The result of those inquires, together with other 
facts since obtained, are embodied in the following paper,, 
which it is hoped may prove of service to some of those 
who have embarked in this important branch of rural 
economy. D. J. B. 

" In Spain there are at present two domestic breeds of 
sheep, which differ widely from one another, both in their 
habits and in the properties of their wool. One kind has, 
for a long period, existed in the warmer parts of that 
country, and is known by their long, coarse, hairy wool; 
and the other, which migrates every spring from the plains 
and valleys of Andalusia, Estremadura, Murcia, Valencia,, 
and Catalonia, to the cool mountains of Old Castile and 
Arragon, where they pass the summer, and return again in. 



[119] 

autumn to feed during winter on the warm plains below- 
The latter, which includes the pure Merino, are distinguished 
from the common sheep by a loose skin hanging from their 
necks, and in haviiig wool on their foreheads and cheeks, 
and frequently down their legs nearly to their hoofs. The 
horns of the males are very large and ponderous, and are 
usually rolled laterally, one part over another. Their wool 
is long, fine, and soft, and is twisted into glossy spiral 
ringlets. It naturally contains a large proportion of oil, 
to which dust and other impurities adhere, and give to the 
animals a dingy and unclean appearance, that conveys to- 
the casual observer an idea of inferiority, but on parting it 
all doubts are immediately removed, when its unsullied 
purity and fineness are brought to view. There also exist 
in Spain several intermediate breeds, among which are the- 
Pyrenean races, with remarkably fine wool, and somewhat 
resembling that on the South Downs of England. In 
general they are polled, but some have horns, which turn 
behind the ears, and in the males project forward half a 
circle. Their legs, which are short, are white or reddish ;. 
their faces speckled, and in some a small tuft of wool grows 
on their foreheads. Their color varies from white to a red- 
dish yellow, and in a few instances they are entirely black. 
There is also another race in Biscay, which have from four 
to six horns, but they are not of the fine wooled variety. 
" The example of Columella, of importing African rams, 
> was repeated by Don Pedro, King of Arragon, in the early 
part of the thirteenth century, and afterwards by Cardinal 
Ximenes, prime minister of Spain ; and to that epoch is to 
be ascribed the superiority of Merino wool over that of all 
other domestic breeds. With regard to the cause of this 
superiority, some impute it to the sheep passing their lives 
in the open air, in a dry and equable climate; others to the 
nature of the soil and vegetation upon which they feed, and 
to their migrating semi-annually from one part of the 
country to another; and a third class, to the peculiar man- 



. [120] 

ner of smearing their backs at a certain period, a process 
hereafter to be described ; but it is most probable that they 
do not so much owe the fineness and quality of their wool 
to the reasons above assigned, as to the uniform, systematic, 
and unceasing care with which they are managed through 
every stage of their existence, and the pure, unmixed, and 
isolated condition in which each flock is kept from genera- 
tion to generation. For it appears as a matter of certainty 
that the sole design of removing these sheep from one dis- 
trict to another is to feed ; and it is equally certain that 
these journeys never would be undertaken if a sufficiency 
of good pasturage could be found in one place during the 
year; and, besides, it is a noted fact that there are station- 
ary flocks in the plains of Estremadura, where frost is sel- 
dom seen, and about the mountains of Old Castile, where 
snow often falls in June, both of which produce wool of an 
equal degree of fineness to that of the itinerant flocks that 
change their quarters every six months. It has been as- 
serted, and believed by some, although controverted by 
several well-informed persons, that regions abounding in 
aromatic plants are more favorable to the health of sheep, 
and, consequently, to the fineness of their wool, than those 
entirely destitute of such plants. Two instances, well sup- 
ported, will, perhaps, be sufficient to refute this opinion. 
The territory of Montana, in Old Castile, is one of the most 
elevated tracts in Spain, where the neighboring mountains 
rise in the atmosphere to a line of perpetual snow. Its 
hills consist of sandstone, covered with a deep clayey soil ; 
black marble, marked with wiiite and yellow veins; grey 
limestone, containing marine petrifactions, talc, gypsum, and 
numerous saline springs; and in the plains and valleys 
emery abounds, both occurring in large blocks and incorpo- 
rated in the soil. The soils of the mountains and hills are 
noted as being of a similar composition with the rocks be- 
neath them ; and experience has taught the Spanish farmers 
that the sod which covers the limestone districts is best 



[121] 

adapted to the growth ot wheat and maize; that the clayey 
soil lying upon the sandstone is stiff and difficult to till, and 
that the intermediate soils, resting upon mixed formations, 
are not very productive without the application of manure. 
The hills and plains of this region, which are destitute of 
aromatic plants, afford the finest of pasturage to numerous 
herds of sheep, cows, and horses, the latter two of which 
are fed on hay during the winter months, a very rare cir- 
cumstance to occur in any part of Spain or the south of 
Europe generally. The other instance referred to is the 
territory adjacent to the town of Molina, in Arragon, which 
abounds in aromatic and odoriferous plants, and is cele- 
brated for its good pasturage and fine flocks, yet their wool 
is of no better quality than that of the sheep of Montana, 
where no aromatic plants are to be found. The hills and 
mountains about Molina are composed of red and grey 
sandstone, limestone, gypsum of various colors and stages 
of decomposition, dark and light-colored granite, intersected 
by numerous veins of lead, iron, and copper, the latter of 
which contains silver, sulphur, and arsenic; and all the sur- 
rounding country is rich in springs, from which large quan- 
tities of salt are annually made. Without digressing 
further from the subject, it may not be improper to state 
that the pastures of Spain are generally prolific in sweet 
grasses suitable for grazing, several of which are indigenous ; 
and others have been introduced from northern Africa, the 
East, and other parts of Europe. 

"That the quality of wool depends much upon climate 
there can be no doubt, for it is a well established law that 
the wool of sheep, in the torrid zone, degenerates into a 
species of hair; and in very cold, rigid ones, though fine 
near the roots, it becomes coarse toward the ends. Hence, 
it is only in temperate latitudes where wool approaches to a 
state of perfection; and its fineness in the Merinos, doubt- 
less, is owing, in a great measure, to their being able to pass 
their lives in the open air, free from the extremes of heat, 



[122] 

cold, and moisture, common to some countries, and where 
their unobstructed but less abundant perspiration is allowed 
to be swept away as fast as it flows. It is a remarkable 
fact, that all the sheep in Spain, which constantly live in the 
open air, perpetuate their color and other properties to their 
progeny ; and it is equally remarkable that the swine of 
tliat country, which run wild in the woods, are invariably 
clothed in fine, curly, black hair ; and hence the Spanish 
proverb, ' Never did a Spanish hog's bristle pierce a 
shoe.' 

'^ Classification of the sheep, and laws regulating the 
flocks. — The fine wooled flocks of Spain, in the language 
of that country, ate called ' trashumantes,' or traveling 
sheep, in contradistinction to the 'estantes,' or those which 
are stationary. The former, let it be recollected, migrate 
every spring from the warm plains and valleys of the south,^ 
to the cool, mountainous regions of the north, where they 
pass the summer, and return again in autumn to pass the 
winter below. It is obvious that migrations of so frequent 
occurrence, and to so great an extent, would necessarily re- 
quire some fixed regulations. Hence, a great number of 
ordinances, penal laws, privileges, and immunities were en- 
acted, or so set forth in difl^erent reigns, for the preservation 
and special government of these sheep; and hence the origin 
of the ruinous privileges of the ' mesta.' This was an as- 
sociation of proprietors of large flocks, consisting of rich, 
religious communities, grandees of Spain, and opulent indi- 
viduals with hereditary rights, who fed their sheep at public 
expense during every season of the yar, which eventually 
gave ripe to a custom first established by necessity. The 
mountains of Saria and Segovia, condemned to sterility by 
the climate, soil, and the steepness of their sides, were for- 
merly the asylum of some neighboring flocks. At the ap- 
proach of winter the place was no longer tenable. The 
sheep sought in the neighboring plains more temperate air. 
Their masters soon changed this permission into a right, and 



[123] 

united themselves into an association which, in time, be- 
came augmented by the addition of others who, having ob- 
tained flocks, were desirous of enjoying the same privileges^ 
The theater was extended in prop^ortion as the actors be- 
came more numerous; and, by degrees, the periodical ex- 
cursions of the flocks were extended to the plains of Estre- 
madura, where the climate was more temperate and pastur- 
age plenty. 

" The mesta requires the parts of the country where the 
sheep are pastured to be set off in divisions, separated from 
each other only by landmarks— fences, or other kinds of 
enclosure, being deemed unnecessary, as the flocks are con- 
stantly attended by shepherds and dogs. Each of these- 
divisions is called a ' dehesa,' and must be of a size capable 
of maintaining about one thousand sheep in the grazing 
stations of the north, and a greater number in those of the 
south, where the lambs are yeaned and reared. Every pro- 
prietor must possess as many dehesas in each province as 
will maintain his flock, which, in the aggregate, is called a 
* cavana,' and is divided into as many subdivisions, or 
tribes, as there are thousands of sheep contained in it. 
Each cavana is governed by an officer called ' mayoral,' or 
chief shepherd. For each subdivision of a thousand sheep 
there is allowed five under shepherds and five dogs. The 
chief shepherd is required to be the owner of four or five 
hundred sheep, must be strong, active, vigilant, intelligent, 
and well skilled in everything that relates to his flock. He 
has absolute control over fifty shepherds and as many dogs, 
whom he chooses, chastises, or discharges at will. Some of 
the inferior shepherds assume the title of * rabadan,' or 
' zagal,' whose duty it is to exercise a general superintend- 
ence over his tribe, under the direction of the mayoral ; also 
to prescribe and administer medicines to the sick and 
maimed. At the period of travailing, and when the ewes 
are giving birth to their young, two or more extra hands 
are allowed to every tribe; and in time of shearing one 



[124] 

hundred and twenty- five shearers are required to a flock of 
ten thousand sheep. 

"On the propriety of law and order in conducting these 
flocks there can be no doubt, but great exception is made to 
several enactments in force, and a continued struggle has 
long existed between the company of the mesta on one part, 
and the lovers of public good on the other. No land that 
has once been occupied for grazing can be tilled before it is 
offered to the mesta at a certain rate. Long green roads, 
leading from one district to another, at least two hundred 
and fifty feet wide, are required to be kept open, as well as 
extensive resting places, where the sheep are fed and sheared. 
So rigid is the law on this point, that, during the periods of 
migration, no person, not even a foot passenger, is allowed 
to travel on these roads, unless he belongs to a flock. These 
passages must unavoidedly cross many cultivated spots, such 
as corn-fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and pasture lands 
common to towns, the evils and inconveniences of which are 
obvious and need no comment. All questions and difficul- 
ties between the shepherds and the occupants of the lands 
through which the roads are suffered to pass are decided by 
special courts that perform a kind of circuit, and sit at stated 
periods to hear and decide. 

" The Shepherds — The salary of the chief shepherd does 
not exceed two hundred dollars a year and a horse; that of 
the first under-shepherd of a tribe, ten dollars a year; the 
second, seven dollars; the third, five; the fourth, three; 
and the fifth, a boy, two dollars a year. The ration of each 
is two pounds of bread a day, with the privilege of keeping 
a few goats in the flock for their milk. They are also enti- 
tled to the skins and carcasses of the culled sheep and lambs, 
and each receives from the chief shepherd a 'regalito' of 
three-fourths of a dollar in April and October, and these 
are all the sweets that these poor wretches enjoy, with the 
exception of about a month in a year, which each takes in 
his turn, to visit his family or friends. They are exposed 



[125] 

the rest of the time to all the vicissitudes of the weather, 
and at night have to lie in miserable huts formed of stakes, 
brambles or branches of trees, and often sleep, as they term 
it, de abaxo las estrellas — under the stars. 

''Mode of giving Salt to the Sheep. — The first thing the shep- 
herd does when his flock returns from the south to their 
summer downs, or pastures, is to give them as much salt as 
they will eat. Every owner allows to each tribe of a thou- 
sand sheep twenty-five quintals of salt, (2,500 pounds,) 
which they consume in about five months. They eat none 
in their journeys, nor are they allowed any in winter, for it 
is a prevailing opinion that it produces abortion when given 
to ewes forward with young, This has ever been the cus- 
tom, and is thought to be the true reason why the kings of 
Spain could never raise the price of salt to the height it has 
maintained in most parts of France; for it would tempt the 
shepherds to stint the sheep, which, it is believed, would 
weaken their constitutions and deteriorate their wool. The 
shepherd places fifty or sixty flat stones at the distance of 
about five paces apart, strews salt upon each, leads the sheep 
slowly among them, and every one is allowed to eat of it at 
pleasure. But when they are feeding on limestone land, 
whether it be on the grass of the downs, or on the little 
plants of the corn-fields after harvest-home, they eat no salt ; 
and if they meet a spot of a mixed formation, they are said 
to partake of it in proportion as the soil is mingled with 
clay. The shepherd being aware that his sheep will suffer if 
deprived of salt, leads them to a clayey soil, and, in a quar- 
ter of an hour's feeding, they march to the stones and devour 
whatever they need. 

"Caution in allowing the Sheep to imbibe Fi^ost or Snow. — 
One of the shepherd's chief cares is not to suffer his sheep 
to imbibe, in the morning, the frozen dew or melted frost, 
and never to approach a pond or stream after a shower of 
hail. For, if they should eat the dewy grass, or drink the 
melted hail, the whole tribe, it is believed, would become 



[126] 

•depressed in spirits, lose their appetites, pine away, and die, 
as often has iiappened. Hail water is also so pernicious to 
man, in that climate, that the people have learned, by expe- 
rience, not to drink from a rivulet or stream until some time 
after a violent storm of hail. 

'^ Disposal of the Males. — On the last of July, six or seven 
rams are permitted to run with every hundred ewes, and 
when the shepherd judges they are properly served, he col- 
lects the former into a separate tribe, to feed by themselves. 
There is also another tribe of rams, which feed apart, and 
never serve the ewes at all, but are merely kept for the 
butchery, or for their wool. Although the wool and flesh 
of wethers are finer and more delicate than those of rams, 
the fleeces of the latter weigh more, and the aniriials are 
longer lived. The longevity of the sheep also depends upon 
the perfection of their teeth, for, when these fail, they cannot 
bite the grass, and are condemned to the knife. The teeth 
of the ewes, from their tender constitution and the fatigues 
of breeding, usually begin to fail at the age of five years — 
the wethers at six — and the robust rams not until they are 
nearly eight years of age. 

"Smearing the Sheep. — Towards the close of September 
the shepherd performs the operation of smearing the sheep 
with a heavy, irony earth, common in Spain. It is first 
mixed with water, and then daubed on their backs, from the 
neck to the rump. Some say it mingles with the oil of the 
wool, and thus becomes a varnish impenetrable to the cold 
and rain; others, that its weight keeps the wool down, and 
prevents it from growing long and coarse ; and a third class, 
that it acts as an absorbent, and receives a part of the per- 
spiration, which would otherwise foul the wool and render 
it rough. Be this as it may, it is a custom of long standing, 
and probably is useful both to the fleece and to the animal 
which carries it, and answers the purpose of destroying 
vermin. 

"Return oj the Sheep to Winter Quarters. — At the end of 



[127] 

September the sheep commence their journeys towards the 
lower plains, their itineraries being marked out by imme- 
morial custom, and are as well regulated as a march of 
troops. Each tribe is usually led by six tame wethers, 
called ' mausos/ which are obedient to the voices of the 
shepherds, who frequently give them small pieces of bread 
to encourage them along. The sheep feed freely in all the 
wilds and commons through which they pass, and often the 
poor creatures travel fifteen or twenty miles a day through 
the crowded lanes to get into the open wilds, where the 
shepherd walks slow to let them feed at ease and rest ; but 
they never stop, have no day of repose, and march two or 
three leagues a day, ever following the shepherd, always 
feeding or seeking with their heads toward the ground, till 
they arrive at their journey's end. The chief shepherd is 
cautious to see that each tribe is conducted to the same dis- 
trict in which it fed the winter before, and where the sheep 
were yeaned, for it is thought to prevent a variation in the 
wool, though, indeed, this requires but little care, as it is a 
notorious truth that the sheep would go to that very spot of 
their own accord, although the distance is sometimes full 
one hundred and fifty leagues, which cannot be traveled in 
much less than forty days. 

" The first thing to be done after the sheep return to their 
winter plains, is to prepare the 'toils' in which they are to 
pass their nights, lest they should stray away and fall into 
the jaws of the wolves. The 'rediles,' or toils, consist of 
enclosures of net-work, with meshes a foot in width, and of 
the thickness of the finger, made of a species of rush called 
^esparto' [Lygeum Spartum.) This plant is also much used 
in the soutli of France and Spain ior making ropes, mats, 
baskets, etc., and was also employed for similar purposes by 
the ancient Romans. 

" Yeaning and Management of the Lambs. — About the end 
of December the ewes begin to bring forth their young, 
which is the most toilsome and the most solicitous period of 



[128] 

the pastoral life. The shepherds first separate the pregnant 
froDQ the barren ewes, and conduct them to the best shelter, 
and the others to the bleaker parts of the district. As the 
lambs are yeaned, they are led apart with their dams to a 
more comfortable place. A third division is made of the 
lambs last brought forth, for which was allotted from the 
beginning the most fertile spot, of the sweetest feed, and the 
best shelter, in order that they may grow with as much 
vigor as those first yeaned; for they must all set ofi the 
same day in spring towards their summer quarters. 

"It is the interest of a proprietor to increase his flock to 
as large a number as the land allotted to it can possibly 
maintain; in consequence of which the sheep are always 
low kept. When a flock has arrived at that point, all fur- 
ther increase is useless, as there is but little sale for these 
sheep, unless some neighboring cavana has been reduced by 
mortality. Hence most of the lambs are killed as soon as 
they are yeaned, and each of those preserved is allowed to 
suck two or three ewes. 

"In the month of March the shepherds perform four 
operations on the lambs about the same time. They first cut 
off their tails five inches below the rump, in order to pre- 
serve cleanliness; they next brand them on the nose with a 
hot iron, making a permanent mark or character indicating 
the flock to which they belong; and then saw ofi^ a portion 
of their horns to prevent the rams from hurting one another, 
or the ewes. The fourth operation is to render impotent 
the lambs destined for docile bell-wethers, to walk at the 
head of each tribe. This is not done by making an incision, 
as with us, but by turning the testicles with the fingers 
twenty times round in the scrotum, twisting the spermatic 
cords as a rope, and the parts wither away without danger. 

" Migration of the Sheep to their Summer Retreats. — As 
soon as the month of April arrives, which is the period of 
departure from the winter to the summer quarters, the sheep 
manifest, by various uneasy motions, a remarkable restless- 




At 



[129] 

ness and a strong desire to be off. At this time, it is neces- 
sary that the utmost vigilance should be exercised, lest the 
sheep should escape, as it has often happened that a tribe 
has stolen a forced march of three or four leagues upon a 
sleepy shepherd ; but he is sure to find them by pursuing 
the same road over which they came the autumn before, and 
there are numerous instances of three or four strayed sheep 
walking a hundred leagues to the very pastures where they 
fed the preceding year. Thus they all go off towards their 
summer retreats in the same order as they came, only with 
this difference — the flocks which migrate to Old Castile are 
shorn on the road, and those which go to Arragon are shorn 
at their journey's end. 

" Shearing of the Sheep. — The season for sheep-shearing in 
Spain, like the harvest and the vintage in corn and wine 
countries, is a time of great festivity and rejoicing, both to 
the proprietor and the workmen. A multitude of shearers, 
washers, and other attendants are fed upon the flesh of the 
culled sheep, and it would seem that the slaughter occasioned 
by this season of feasting would be sufficient to consume the 
whole flock. 

"The operation of shearing commences on the first of 
May, provided the weather be fair ; for if the wool be not 
quite dry, the fleeces, which are closely piled upon one an- 
other as soon as they are taken off, would ferment and rot. 
It is for this reason that the business is performed in large 
spacious buildings called ' esquileos,' which are usually so 
arranged as to receive entire flocks of twenty, forty, and even 
sixty thousand sheep, and, besides, the constitutions of the 
ewes are such that if they were exposed immediately after 
shearing to the air of a bleak, stormy night, they would all 
perish." 

We have only mentioned Southdown, Cotswold and Me- 
rinos as the three most popular breeds in Tennessee. They 
and their produce constitute nine-tenth& of the sheep in the 
9 



[130] 

State outside of the common natives or scrubs. There are 
yet a few descendants of the Leicester, and some Shropshire 
Downs. The former are fast disappearing, and the latter 
have not proved as profitable with us as they have in Eng- 
land, or even in some of the Northern States. They re- 
semble the Southdowns very much in appearance, with 
face and legs, larger carcass and heavier coats of wool of 
longer staple. Like most of the Downs families, they are 
good mutton sheep, but they are more ragged in form and 
do not fatten as quickly as the Southdowns. It is claimed 
however by the breeders of Shropshires that the increased 
weight of fleece more than compensates for the superior 
qualities of the Southdowns for mutton. As stated above, 
Shropshires have not proven sufficiently profitable in this 
State, as compared with the other breeds we have mentioned, 
although they have been in the hands of skillful and expe- 
rienced breeders, to create a demand for them, either to 
breed as thoroughbreds or to cross upon the common sheep. 



[131] 
CHAPTER VIII. 

CROSS BREEDS AND GRADES. 

When it is desired to improve the standard of one's flock, 
or to change the breed altogether, the greatest care should 
be observed to procure rams of the breed wished, of the 
very choicest quality, regardless of the first cost. A Merino, 
or even a scrub sheep, may be converted into an almost 
pure-blooded Southdown or Cotswold by judicious manage- 
ment. A grown ram will serve from thirty to forty ewes 
in a season, if properly managed. A good Merino ram 
will add more than one pound of wool to the fleece of 
every lamb got by him from a common ewe. Here 
is 30 or 40 pounds of wool for the use of a ram for one 
season, to say nothing of the other valuable qualities, and 
every lamb subsequently got by him adds a pound to this 
amount. Many a ram gets during his life 800 to 1,000 
lambs. This gives the breeder, in addition to the wool, 
from 800 to 1,000 half- blooded sheep, worth double their 
dams, and ready to be made the basis of another and higher 
stride in improvement. 

Farmers frequently experiment in breeding for their own 
satisfaction by mixing or crossing two difierent varieties; 
this is done in attempting to establish a new breed or va- 
riety, or more often to supply some demand for a special 
quality of wool or mutton. The results of such experi- 
ments, if made with two varieties of thoroughbred sheep, 
are generally disastrous ; there is no uniformity in a flock 
bred in this way, for the individuality, so to speak, of each 
breed that it has required a long number of years to estab- 
lish, will be lost in the cross, and neither the rams nor the 
ewes of this cross-bred sheep will reproduce in their ofif- 



[1321 

spring with any degree of certainty, and to any extent the 
characteristic merits of either of their pure- bred ancestors. 
To pursue a course of this kind, however, in breeding, for 
a long series of years, would ultimately result in anew breed 
of sheep of fixed type, and with the power of reproducing 
their likeness and quality in their offspring; but to estab- 
lish a new breed with this power would almost require the 
work of a lifetime, unremitting skill, attention and patience, 
and with a well defined object constantly in view. To skill 
of this kind, and to the patient perseverance of breeders 
years ago, are we indebted for the excellent varieties of the 
present day, and in order to keep each of them up to the 
highest standard of excellence, it is absolutely necessary to 
keep them pure and free from other crosses. 

GRADES. 

While we doubt if there are any cross-bred sheep as good 
as either of the thoroughbreds from which they come, there 
can be no doubt as to the increased value of a flock result- 
ing from a thoroughbred ram of any of the different estab- 
lished varieties crossed upon the common scrub ewes of the 
country. 

Sheep bred in this way are called grades, and so marked 
and rapid is the improvement of the flock by using nothing 
but a thoroughbred ram on these grade ewes, that it is diffi- 
cult to tell the grades from the thoroughbreds after they are 
two or three removes from the scrub. This rapid improve- 
ment in the flock is sometimes injurious to the farmer, by 
tempting him to select a young breeding ram from his flock 
of handsome grade lambs, expecting him to continue the 
improvement of the flock already begun by his thorough- 
bred sire, but the result of such breeding will in every in- 
stance prove a disappointment ; a grade ram should never 
be used for breeding purposes, for under no circumstances 
can he increase the value of the flock, and his offspring will 
invariably deteriorate. Even if bred to thoroughbred ewes, 



[133] 

this will be the case, and although the inferiority of the 
produce may not be so marked as when bred to grade ewes, 
the result finally will be the same, and both will terminate 
in a scrub. A lot of thoroughbred ewes will degenerate 
into common scrawny scrubs by the constant use of grade 
rams upon them and their descendants more rapidly than 
the produce of scrub ewes can be bred up to full bloods by 
the constant use of thoroughbred rams. Hence we say, 
that the farmer, tempted by the extra fine appearance of a 
grade lamb, saves him for a breeder, and uses him on his 
ewes, does his flock an injury that will require a thorough- 
bred ram two years to deface. 

For the general farmer the most economical way to begin 
a flock is to buy the common scrub ewes, and breed them 
up by using thoroughbred rams, being governed in the 
selection of a ram entirely by the special qualities desired 
in the flock. 

In none of our domestic animals have we more complete 
power to breed at will such qualities as we want, than we 
have in sheep, and while it would take, as stated above, a 
long series of years to establish a typical breed, yet the 
lambs from grade ewes by thoroughbred rams often show as 
much quality as the thoroughbred, though they will not and 
cannot transmit this quality with any degree of certainty 
to their offspring, hence the necessity of using thoroughbred 
rams, it matters not what purpose the flock-master has in 
view, be it wool or matton, or both combined. 

If wool is the principal object, and a fine texture mostly 
desired, a Merino ram should be used ; three or four crosses 
of Merino will not only give the desired texture, but will 
more than treble the weight of the fleece of the grades over 
that of the original scrub, and if the demand should change 
to a long combing wool, no better or more profitable cross 
could be made than by breeding these high grade Merino 
<=!wes to a Cotswold or Leicester ram, this will produce a 
most desirable quality of wool that commands a good price 



[134] 

in any market, for it lias the fine texture of the Merino 
with the combing qualities of the Cotswold. This is also a 
valuable grade for any pnrpose, producing a superior qual- 
ity of wool, and at the same time making a juicy mutton, 
second in quality only to the Southdown grades. 

Satisfactory experiments have been made with this cross 
by Capt. Thos. Gibson, of Maury county, an experienced 
and extensive breeder. He used, however, pure Merino 
ewes instead of grades; so gratifying was the result that he 
intends to cross his flock more extensively. Merinos are 
the oldest established breed of sheep we have, and their 
powers of transmitting their characteristics are greater than 
that of any other breed, hence when this breed is crossed 
with another the produce will carry the Merino type more 
distinctly than that of its other ancestor ; thus if Cotswold' 
rams are bred to only half breed or three-quarter-bred Me- 
rino ewes, the wool will show by increased length the Cots- 
wold blood, but it will also retain much of the fine texture 
of the Merino. 

The well-known longevity of the Merino, their thrift and 
disposition to flock in large numbers without danger of 
disease, more common to the other varieties, make their 
blood a very desirable strain to have as a foundation stone 
upon which to build a flock for any purpose. Grade ewes of 
this breed are good and trustworthy breeders at eight years, 
and at that age, when it is no longer profitable to keep them 
as breeders, they fatten kindly ard quickly for the butcher. 
We do not know of any grade sheep that will pay in wool 
more surely the average farmer, than high grade Merino 
ewes crossed twice or three times with a pure Cotswold ram. 

Wool, however, is not always the greatest consideration 
in sheep husbandry. A farmer conveniently located to a 
market will find early lambs and fall mutton will pay bet- 
ter than his wool clip. With this object in view, a ram 
should be selected from that breed most noted for its mut- 
ton qualities. Early maturity must be duly considered in 



[135] 

making a selection, as the sale of early lambs will be the 
greatest source of profit to the mutton breeder. The South- 
down are, beyond all question, the best mutton sheep we 
have ; they are close to the ground, on short legs, square- 
bodied ; marble their flesh well, and take on flesh rapidly. 
As a breed, they will dress more neat meat, in proportion 
to offal, than any of the varieties above mentioned ; hence, 
in selecting a ram to grade up the scrub ewes, select a 
Southdown. So much depends upon contingencies, such as- 
location, pasturage, markets, etc., that no definite plan can 
be given as best, under all circumstances, for breeding the 
mutton sheep. 

In selecting the scrub ewes, with which it is presumed 
the breeder will first start, the first and greatest care should 
be to get healthy ones, free from all the many diseases so 
common amongst scrub sheep. None of them should ex- 
ceed three years old, for scrub ewes are by no means cer- 
tain breeders after passing five years. The health and age 
of a ewe being satisfactory, her shape and condition should 
be next considered. These two points we place last, though 
they are" more often the first considered by the purchaser in 
making his selections. That health and age should be first 
considered, is at once apparent, for one unsound or diseased 
ewe can quickly disease the entire flock, and it is never safe 
to count on getting more than one lamb from a five-year- 
old ewe. 

In shape, the ewes selected for breeders should be com- 
pactly built, square, and wide behind, good stout frames, of 
medium size, a lengthy body on short legs, and, last of all, 
they should be as well wooled as can be found after the 
other points have been considered; for, remember, mutton 
is the principal object now, and breeding ewes should not 
be expected to yield more than wool enough to pay for their 
winter keep. Ewes selected in this way, even though they 
are scrubs, will present something of a uniform appearance, 
and this uniformity will greatly assist the breeder in select- 



[136] 

ing a ram of the proper form, and one that will most likely 
produce the best results when mated with them. 

The ram should be well developed where the ewes are 
most defective. If they are light and contracted in front, 
he should have full, strong shoulders, and depth in the 
brisket; if they are flat-ribbed and leggy, his ribs should 
be well arched and his legs short; if they are naked under 
the belly, flank and thighs, he should be well wooled on 
those places. 

But, as mentioned above, this is an after consideration in 
mutton sheep. It is not the largest carcass always that 
dresses the greatest number of pounds of neat meat, or 
that proves the most profitable to the breeder; on the con- 
trary, medium sized sheep are more desirable. They are, 
as a general thing, more compact in form, not so coarse in 
appearance, fatten more rapidly, and when brought to the 
butcher will command a better average price than a ragged 
and uneven lot of larger ones. There are times, however, 
when it is advisable to use a large- framed and somewhat 
coarse ram to breed from. Such a one, for instance, would 
produce the best results crossed upon small and delicate 
ewes. Such a cross would be apt to give size and constitu- 
tion to the lambs, with, however, more or less the coarseness 
of their sire; but this objection can be overcome by using 
upon these young ewes a ram of finer finish than their sire. 
Southdowns are deservedly the most popular sheep to breed 
for mutton. They are round and compact in form, mature 
early, and have the greatest tendency to take on fat. They 
will dress as much, and probably more, neat meat, in pro- 
portion to gross weight, than any other breed, hence they 
command the best price from the butcher, either as lambs 
or mutton. 

Much depends, however, upon the location of the breeder 
as to what particular quality of sheep will pay him best. 
In breeding a grade flock for mutton, it does not necessarily 
follow that the fleece should be neglected. In some sections 



[137 I 

it will pay best to breed nothing but thoroughbred South- 
downs for nuitton, for the breeder will frequently be ena- 
bled to dispose of a large number of his lambs to farmers 
and others as breeding rams to cross upon their common 
ewes. 

In breeding for mutton, early lambs for market are gen- 
erally the first consideration; though every year, after he 
gets fairly started, the flock- master will find old tswes and 
uncertain breeders accumulating on his hands, that will best 
pay him in the butcher's pen. They can be replaced by a 
corresponding number of young ewes, selected each year 
from the crop of lambs and reserved for breeding purposes. 
In this way he can always regulate the size of his flock, 
and at the same time have nothing but young, vigorous 
ewes for breeding. 

We have mentioned elsewhere bow mutton sheep should 
be treated, but it will not be out of place here to say that 
the ewes intended for the shambles should be kept apart 
from the flock, for they require more food, and of a richer 
quality, tlian breeding ewes should have, and not being 
bred, they will constantly be in heat during the fall, and it 
would have a tendency to make young ewes abort if they 
were permitted to run with them. 

The earlier the lambs come in market, the higher the 
price they will command. In the large eastern cities 
the butchers dispose readily ot all the extra early lambs 
they can get at fifty cents per pound dressed meat. In 
order to get the best prices, the ewes must be bred early. 
Probably the best time to buy the scrub ewes with which 
to start the flock on, would be in June or July, after they 
have been clipped and before they have been bred. In order 
to get good prices for the lambs, these ewes should be bred 
at the eai liest moment possible, the last of July or first of 
August, if they will take the buck; and it is quite import- 
ant that they should be bred in bunchis of 20 or 25, as 
nearly at the same time as possible, in order that the lambs 



[138] 

may come as near together as possible. No one who is not 
familiar with the business can realize how much is added to 
the appearance of a flock by having them all of uniform 
size, or how eagerly a butcher will take a smooth, even lot of 
lambs in preference to a ragged lot, even though the latter 
be larger. We have stated that the Southdowns are pre-emi- 
nently the best mutton sheep we have, and where mutton 
alone is desired, it is useless to hunt further than a South- 
down for a ram to breed upon these scrub ewes. But there 
are other considerations, important to the breeder just be- 
ginning to grade up his flock, in addition to their mutton 
qualities, even if mutton is his principal object. He wants 
long-lived and healthy ewes, and he wants them to yield 
him as much wool each year as possible without detracting 
from their value as mutton. Remember, we are speaking 
of a grade flock now, with no thoroughbreds except the 
rams that are used. As mentioned above, no better cross 
can be first used on the common ewes, it matters not what 
quality is most desired, than a Merino ram. It will add 
irom one to two pounds of wool to each lamb, and will give 
a healthy and thrifty flock of half-breed ewes to breed 
from. With these to start on, it is an easy and pleasant 
task to shape the flock as desired. If a longer staple and 
a heavier fleece and a larger carcass are desired, then a 
Cotswold ram should be used until the desired standard is 
reached; if, on the other hand, mutton is the object, use a 
Southdown ram on the half-breed Merino ewes. Either of 
these objects, wool or mutton, can be bred on a flock quicker 
by using direct on the scrub ewes a ram of either of the 
breeds mentioned, but in doing this we would get the 
hardy and valuable blood of the Merino, a cross that would 
certainly be of benefit to every grade flock in the State. A 
most valuable and desirable grade sheep, and one that comes 
probably nearer than any other filling all the requirements 
of the average farmer, is to breed the half-bred Merino 
ewes in twice to a Cotswold ram, and then on the ewes from 



[139] 

these three crosses, breed a Southdown ram. In the first 
cross with the Merino we get more fleece of finer quality, a 
long-lived, healthy sheep. Such ewes, bred to a Cotswold,. 
will nearly double the weight of fleece, giving it more 
length, and at the same time increasing greatly the size of 
carcass. Breed these Cotswold-Merino ewes to a Cotswold 
ram again, and the produce will approach very near a full 
blood Cotswold in size and appearance. The fleece will not 
be quite as long or heavy as the Cotswold, but it will be of 
finer texture, owing to the Merino cross. The ewes can be 
counted as valuable breeders at seven or eight years of age^ 
and will, in their prime, average a clip of eight pounds of 
wool. The breeder can keep his flock up to this standard 
by using every third year a Merino ram on the ewes. The 
sale of early lambs, however, will be the chief source of 
revenue to him, and in order to realize the best prices, a 
Southdown ram should be used for the sire of the market 
lambs. 

The effect of breeding a Southdown ram on these Cots- 
wold-Merino ewes will be of no advantage to the fleece 
of the offspring; on the contrary, it will have a tendency 
to decrease the weight and length ; but the change in this 
respect, is scarcely perceptible, and the advantages arising, 
from this cross for mutton more than compensate for the 
loss in wool. The lambs from the Southdown ram will 
be of more compact form, mature earlier, and take on 
fat more readily than the Cotswold-Merino lambs. Ninety 
per cent of them will have the distinguishing marks of the 
Southdown, in brown faces and legs. This adds nothing to 
their real value as mutton, but it assists the breeder very 
materially in disposing of them at the highest markot 
price. This will be more readily understood by those who 
have experience in selling lambs, and know the very de- 
cided preference butchers give lambs that show their South- 
down origin in black or brown faces and legs. Aside from 
the advantages mentioned above, a grade flock bred in this 



. [140] 

way are, owing to the constant infusion of fresh blood nec- 
essary to keep up the proper standard of the flock, remark- 
ably healthy and vigorous. 

The relative value of cross-bred sheep is shown conspic- 
uously in the following table, the result of an experiment 
with some of the most productive and highly esteemed of 
the established breeds of improved sheep, though it does 
not include Merinos, and the animals were thoroughbred 
instead of grades. The Cotswold being the largest, was 
the basis of comparison, the number kept being propor- 
tioned to relative size : 

Breeds Compara- Weight Value Weight of 

OF tive No. of of Carcass at Total 

Sheep. Kept. Fleece. Fleece. 14 mo. old. Products. 

Lhs. Cenln. Lbs. Dollars. 

Cotswold 100 5 to 10 31 to 32 80 1,24166 

Leicester 105 4 to 8 .31 to 33^ 68 1,113 18 

Hampshire Downs 115 3 to 7 31 to 36 68 1,020 62 

South Downs 120 2 to 6 33 to 37 60 1,,S17 70 

Cross-bred 115 4 to 8 33 to 36 76 1,464 50 

This certainly makes a fair showing for the cross-breeds. 

Interesting Experiment in Austria of the Grossing of the 
Cotswold upon the Merino, on Exhibition at the Vienna Ex- 
position. — "The Merino element is so prominent in Austria 
that the growing necessity for better mutton is beginning to 
be met rather by cross-breeds than mutton sheep of full 
blood. The Cotswold-Merinos on exhibition commanded 
much attention. They are without horns, have the white 
faces of Cotswolds, and the pink noses of Merinos. They 
are of good size, with a girth of nearly six feet over the 
wool. The fleeces, at eleven months, showed fibre A^ inches 
long; much longer than the Rambouillet, finer than that 
of the Cotswold, with much of its lustre, and a fair degree 
of the curl of the Merino, without its dirt and grease. 

"The union of Cotswold and Merino blood on the Kelt- 
schan Sugar Company's estate in Moravia, has been more 
satisfactory in its results than any contemporary experience 
in cross-breeding. The change was effected by the use of 



[141] 

imported Cotswold rams. The large area occupied, exceed- 
ing 6,000 acres, is hilly, and the pastures are covered with 
fruit trees, suggesting sheep as the stock most appropriate 
to be kept The old flock of fine wools was not prohtable, 
the culls being almost worthless for mutton, upon which 
the rich beet pulp was practically thrown away in an at- 
tempt to fatten them. The experiment was successful above 
expectation. The crass-breeds were thrifty, early attaining 
maturity, becoming fat at ten or twelve months old. After 
weaning, the lambs are fed upon beet pulp, have a little 
rape-seed cake, and oats, until a supply of mown clover is 
attainable, and later are pushed forward with mangolds. 
With such a course of feeding, they weigh 140 pounds or 
more at 12 or 14 months, and have brought at market an 
equivalent of 7 cents per pound, live weight, or $10 per 
head. After the first cross, it has been found best to breed 
in-and-in by selection from the same flock. A second flock 
was constituted with reference to very large size and great 
hardiness, by selecting large native ewes from the Car- 
pathian Mountains (Zackels), and also Merinos of unusual 
size, and coupling with rams of any breed having requisite 
size and constitution. The offspring of these selected sheep 
were paired with Cotswold males from England, and their 
progeny inbred without further crossing. The result is the 
Keltschan sheep exhibited by the sugar company— a large 
animal, an average wether weighing fully 170 pounds at 14 
months, and 225 at 18. 

" This company has also a Southdown flock, and a cross- 
breed, or a Southdown-Merino flock, the latter well adapted 
to medium lands, but surpassed by the Cotswold- Merinos 
ior rich lands, and b} the heavy Keltschan sheep for profit 
as pulp-eaters and flesh-makers. The weight of fleeces of 
the Cotswold cross is fully four pounds, and of the others 
three pounds." 



[142] 



CHAPTER IX. 

WASHING, SHEAEING AND PACKING WOOL FOE MAEKET. 

Our Northern friends almost universally pursue a plan 
that has never come into use with us, and that is, washing 
«heep before shearing. This custom prevails also in Eng- 
land, and in fact throughout all European countries. It 
has been practiced time out of mind, and what is so popu- 
lar with them certainly has merits. It frees the fleece from 
dirt, and many impurities that accumulate during the year. 
It causes the wool to sell at a higher price also, and I see 
no reason why it should not be practiced here. 

Soft water should be used in preference to hard water. 
Streams with sandy, or what is better, gravelly bottoms, 
must be selected, and about waist deep. If the stream has 
a muddy bottom the soil will adhere to the wool, making 
it worse than before. Many persons purposely select a bed 
of mud, and incorporate as much as possible in the wool, so 
as to add to the weight of the fleece. But this is a poor 
method of cheating, and will be readily detected by the 
buyer, who, awake to his own interest, will dock the value 
more than sufficient to overbalance the addition. Soft water 
leaves the wool, when dry, soft and pleasant to the feel, as 
it does not deprive the wool of its grease or yolk-like water 
that has lime in it, which leaves the wool rough and harsh 
to the fingers. 

The stream being agreed on, a pen is built on its banks 
into which the sheep are driven. The pen has a narrow 
alley leading down to the water, and ending in a small plat- 
form, from which the sheep are plunged directly into the 
water. The washer should be careful not to handle the 
sheep by the wool, as it impaires the wool and skin, often 



[143] 

producing extravasation of blood under the skin that causes 
the wool to shed at that point. He should grasp him by 
the legs and plunge the sheep under two or three times until 
he is thoroughly wet, then allowing him to stand on bis 
legs, the wool is rubbed, the matted parts opened, and the 
legs washed free of dung, as near as may be, without keep- 
ing the sheep in too long. The sheep should then be passed 
to another washer, who stands above him, and well rinsed, 
and then turned into a clean, grassy meadow, squeezing as 
much water out of the wool as possible. Ewes not having 
given birth to their lambs should be more carefully handled 
than the others, but if carefully washed, no harm will re- 
sult. Good hands will wash about one sheep to every min- 
ute, if sufficient help is given in passing them down. After 
washing they should be kept in a clean meadow to prevent 
the adherence of dirt until the wool dries, which will be 
according to the weather, in five or seven days. Some 
people erect a dam across a small stream or branch, and 
conduct the water through a race three or four feet long to 
a platform or bridge, and with a pen on one side for the 
sheep, they can be washed without the necessity of stand- 
ing in water, and with a gum apron and boots the washer 
will be able to keep perfectly dry. 

Shearing. — When the sheep has got not only perfectly 
dry, but when the yolk that has been washed out has had 
time to re-form, making the fleece feel soft and mellow, it 
is then ready for shearing. This should be done as the 
washing is, by careful, gentle hands, and no violence should 
be shown the sheep, which is an exceedingly timid animal. 
The shearer should be provided with a good sharp pair of 
shears and a good whetstone, as the condition of the instru- 
ment greatly expedites the operation. He should also have 
a bench with legs about waist high, to relieve himself from 
the tedium of a long continued forced posture. 

A good, warm, bright day should be selected, and not as 
is too often the case, wait for a rainy day when nothing can 



[144] 

be done out of doors. The bench on which the sheep are 
laid should be planed smooth to prevent injury to the fleece 
or sheep, and if possible, they should be sheared on a barn 
floor, the latter being beforehand swept clean of straw or 
dust, as otherwise much filth will adhere to the wool, afi^ect- 
ing its quality. Nothing contributes more to the sale of 
wool, as well as of all other farm products, than neatness in 
packing up. Shearing should take place, in Tennessee, 
about the middle of May, or later if the warm weather is 
backward in coming. If shorn in cold weather the sheep 
will shiver in the cold, and take many lung diseases. When 
every thing is ready the shearer, with his assistants, will 
place the sheep on the bench, and place the head of the 
sheep towards the shearer, the sheep resting on the right side. 
Begin by cutting all the tags off the fore leg and belly and 
neck. Let them be thrown on the floor and carried in a 
basket to one side out of the way, by no means allowing 
them to get mixed with the wool. Cut with the hand 
elevated, so as to keep the point next the skin, along the 
sides of the sheep's belly, fore leg, and over the backbone, 
as far as can be reached with the shears, then around the 
hind leg, tail, to the former cut. The sheep is now turned 
over on the shorn side, and soon divested of his coat by be- 
ginning at the same point and meeting the first cut. Bear 
in mind all the time to keep the hand well away from the 
sheep's body, and never by any means take two cuts at the 
same length of fibre. If the fibre is cut it is injured. 
Therefore if a farmer wishes to know whether a sheep is 
well shorn, he should not only look at the sheep, as many 
smoothly shorn sheep are badly shorn, but look at the in- 
side of the fleece, and see if there are any short pieces of 
wool. Should the skeep's skin be cut with the shears, as it 
will be sometimes unavoidably, put a little tar over the 
wound, or fly's eggs will be deposited in it, and the place 
will soon be swarming with maggots. 

Packing the Fleece. — The manner in which the fleece is 



[145] 

packed has so much to do with its sale, we deem it neces- 
sary to call the attention of farmers to the subject, and give 
a, few short directions about it. Nothing, as already said, 
hastens or contributes more to the sale of wool than the neat 
manner in which it may be put up. I have seen wool pur- 
chased in large quantities in our State, and with very few 
exceptions have never seen it neatly packed. A neat roll 
of A^'ool, properly tied up, will at once catch the eye of the 
purchaser, who will always select wool of this character to 
those rough, loosely hanging bundles, or no bundles at all, 
in which for the most part it is carried to market. As little 
as one would suppose, a difference of from four to five, and 
even six cents per pound is paid for the trouble. In Ohio 
the principal wool-growing State of the Union, much care 
is exhibited in preparing, sorting and tagging wool, and a 
great emulation exists among farmers as to who shall have 
the nicest packages of wool. The consequence of this care 
a reference to the prices current will show. The Ohio, 
Pennsylvania and West Virginia wools sell in the Philadel- 
phia market at 50 to 52c, while the wools of New York and 
the other Western States sell at from 45 to 48 cents. This 
difference is due entirely to the extra care taken by the 
farmers of those States in preparing their wools for market, 
as they are graded the same in other respects. 

We will suppose it has been well trimmed of tags. Lay 
the fleece on a table with the inside down, then turn the 
ends all in, such as the neck and legs, making the two ends, 
that are to be, a straight line, then roll up moderately tigh 
only, and tie with good twine, not too large, and the bundle 
is complete. In this shape it can be easily handled and 
and readily examined, and presents generally a neat appear- 
ance. Many expensive contrivances are made to give the 
fleeces a uniform shape, but unless a farmer handles many 
hundreds of fleeces, it would hardly pay expenses to pro- 
vide all these appliances. 

Should the farmer wish to ship the wool, it will be 
10 



[146] 

further necessary to place the bundles in a bag or box, se- 
curely fastened. It is essential to pack it in as small a com- 
pass as possible, as the railroads charge by bulk and not by 
weight. The best plan to do this is to place a bag that is 
to be used under a trap-door of the barn, and while one 
man will get into the sack with bare feet, another will hand 
to him the bundles, which he will tread firmly into place 
with his feet and knees, when nearly full cramming the tags, 
which have been prepared, into the corners and odd places, 
until the bag is full. Let it then be securely sewed up, 
stuffing some tags in the corners to give a hand hold by 
which the bag may be moved about. 

To prepare the tags for market, first dip them repeatedly- 
in strong salt and water made hot as the hands can bear it, 
then wash out in soapsuds, pulling to pieces until all filth is 
removed, and then rinsing in rain or soft water. They will 
thus be made into very fair wool, while otherwise they 
would be worthless. 

After the bag is sewed up, weigh it carefully, and mark 
the weight, name and quality on it. 

This particularity of impressing so much care upon the 
farmer in packing and shearing may be understood when it 
is stated that every fleece of wool sheared from a sheep, 
when it reaches the last purchaser before the manufacturer, 
has to be sorted. The manufacturer buys only the sorts of 
wool he wishes to use in the fabrics manufactured. Some 
wish to convert it in jeans, some broadcloth, while others 
use only the finer qualities for ladies' dresses. In fact every 
fleece goes into some eight or ten grades. It may therefore 
seem a light thing to pack properly, but now that the fleece 
is opened, if it is all in a tangle, it can readily be seen how 
difficult it becomes to properly sort it, while the well-packed 
fleece flies with great rapidity into its proper heap under the 
judgment of the sorter. He is generally a high-priced 
workman, and his work goes on much faster with a trim 
fleece than with a slovenly one, and therefore the purchaser 



[147] 

can readily afford to give a better price for it. The wool 
of the world amounts to 1,800,000,000 pounds, and when 
we consider the vast numbers of persons concerned in pre- 
paring this enormous amount for the wear and tear of man, 
we can form some idea of its commercial importance. It 
has first to be raised by the tiarmer, sheared, and the fleece 
sent to market. Usually it passes into the hands of three 
or four tradesman before it reaches the manufacturer. All 
these middle men are given employment, and the farmer too 
derives part of his living from it. After it goes to the fac- 
tory it is there scoured, dyed, oiled, plucked, carded, combed, 
broke, drawn, roved, spun, reeled, woven, all these differ- 
ent processes employing many thousands of laborers, and 
supporting their families. It has then to pass through the 
hands of the jobber, the wholesale and retail merchants, 
and at last comes back to the very man who sheared it from 
the sheep's back. But how different it is then. The rough, 
homely jeans or linsey has the same parentage with the 
glossy cloth or cassimere. The hod carrier gets his woolen 
jacket from the same source with the belle in her high- 
sounding and beautiful delaines. All these differences are 
the result of sorting. The perfection of its manufacture, 
and the wonderful differences in the fabrics cannot better 
be realized than by the fact that in ordinary spinning one 
pound of wool usually stretches to three-fourths of a mile, 
in superfine spinning it stretches to 22 miles ; while the 
very finest and choicest bits of wool will reach a distance of 
95 miles to a pound. Of this finest quality 1,500 fibres 
laid side by side will cover one inch, and a compact bundle 
of one square inch will require 2,225,000 fibres. By these 
statements one can readily see the importance of not injur- 
ing a single fibre of wool, and in fact the necessity of the 
great care prescribed in these pages for the improvement 
rather than deterioration of a staple that not only clothes 
the farmer, but gives employment to so many of the iuhab- 
tants of our sphere . 



[ 148 ] 

There is one fact in regard to the effect of shearing more 
curious than practical. It is asserted, on the best English 
authority, that rams recently sheared are incapable of pro- 
ducing lambs. From the fact that shearing always take 
place in the spring of the year. This, if true, is of no conse- 
quence, but it should be taken into account, should the 
farmer desire or intend to re-shear in the fall. According 
to a noted Australian writer, a flock of 4,000 ewes and 100 
rams newly sheared, produced only 165 lambs. Another 
author had 100 ewes and four rams recently sheared which 
only brought nine lambs. A large " station " in the same 
neighborhood had five per cent, of lambs. In California they 
shear at any season, as in Australia, where the climate is 
equable, there being no sudden transitions of weather from 
hot to cold. Where there is a distinct division of heat and 
cold, the habit is universal to shear during the breeding 
season, otherwise the wool would shed and come off in tufts. 
"With the exception of the Merino this is universal, but 
with the Merino, the sheep have been known to go as long 
as six years without shearing, which will account for the 
enormous weight of some published fleeces. One in Aus- 
tralia in six years attained a length of 22 inches, and one 
in California in 1874, with three years growth, weighed 52 
pounds. 



[149] 



CHAPTER X. 

DOGS. 

The Thirty-ninth General Assembly of Tennessee enacted 
a dog law, greatly to the relief and satisfaction of the sheep- 
raisers throughout the State. Many farmers who had hith- 
erto been deterred from raising sheep, soon engaged in the 
enterprise, and many more were preparing to do so, but be- 
fore the good effects of the law were scarcely realized, the 
following Legislature (the 40th) repealed the law. It seems 
not a little extraordinary that two Legislatures, following 
each other so closely — giving them credit for an equal 
amount of intelligence and patriotism — should differ so 
widely in their appreciation of what constituted the true 
interests and wishes of their constituents. Both could not 
be right. We have the proof positive, through the answers 
received to the circulars issued by this department to all the 
principal sheep- raisers of the State, that they — for whose 
benefit and protection the law was enacted — regarded it as 
most salutary and beneficial. Why then repeal it? How 
did the members of the 40th General Assembly discover 
that the law was unpopular or not beneficial? The ques- 
tion resolves itself into this: Whether the hundreds of 
thousands of useless curs in the State shall be suffered to 
roam at large, to the injury and destruction of the property 
of others, or whether they shall be put under some restraint 
and control, that one of the most important industries of 
the State — I had almost said, the most important — might 
thrive and prosper? 

The following table shows the salutary effect of the law 
during the short time it was in operation : 



[150] 

Total Number of Dogs in 1875. 

Bitches. Dogs. 

East Tennessee 2,258 49,567 

Middle " 6,080 90,413 

West " 4,412 63,087 

12,750 202,067 

12,750 

Total in 1875 214,717 

Total in 1876 182,530 

Total decrease in dogs 32,187 

The sheep interest was benefitted this much by the de- 
crease. Did any other suffer in consequence? Tiiere might 
have been some obnoxious features in the dog law; if so,, 
these could have easily been amended. The Supreme Court 
decided that the law was unconstitutional, that dogs were 
property and must be taxed like other property, and that a 
special tax could not be put upon them. It would seem that 
a remedy might be found to cover these objections. It cer- 
tainly is not constitutional for a man, directly or indirectly,. 
to destroy another man's property, or to exercise a priv- 
ilege inconsistent with the freedom or privileges of others. 
Since it is legal now for any man to keep as many dogs as 
he pleases without paying a tax, there is a way in which 
our sheep-raisers can utilize this privilege. The Mexicans, 
who, by the way, are the very best shepherds in the world, 
and have immense flocks of sheep, that are exposed to a 
much greater enemy, if possible, than the dog — I mean 
the coyote, or prairie wolf — have no trouble in keeping 
them at bay by the following method : They select the 
young pups from some large breed of the common cur dog, 
and put them to sucking a ewe, first taking away her own 
lamb. At first she will rebel against the substitute, but 
from the natural desire to be relieved from her milk, she 
will permit them to suck her, and finally regard them 
with the same affection that she would her own offspring. 



[151] 

For the first few days they are allowed to suck only twice 
a day, morning and evening. After she becomes accus- 
tomed to them, they may be allowed to run together in a 
small enclosure. Finally, they are turned in with the 
whole flock, that they may get accustomed to them also, 
for no sheep will take to a strange dog at first, not even the 
finest-bred shepherd dogs. After the pups are weaned,, 
they will never leave the particular flock they were- raised 
among. No- other dogs dare approach the flock, not even a 
strange person. If a pack of wolves come around the 
camp at night, the dogs keep up a continual barking, which 
frightens them off, so that a sheep is seldom destroyed by 
wolves. Three or four dogs are kept with a flock of 800' 
or 1,000 sheep. These dogs are much stronger and fiercer 
than the Scotch colley, and can be trained to the care and 
management of the sheep with equal skill and fidelity,, 
while the cost is nothing but the time and trouble of rear- 
ing them. They will not require to be fed on meat; corn- 
dodgers and milk are quite sufficient for them. 

This is a certain and most excellent way to break a shep- 
herd dog; but one equally as effective for Tennessee breed- 
ers, and less troublesome, is to have the puppy accompany 
the flock- master whenever he goes about his sheep, say 
twice or thrice a day. The pup will soon become accus- 
tomed to them, and, with a little practice each time, the 
flock- master can soon make him drive a flock in any direc- 
tion. These dogs have a natural instinct to drive stock of 
all kinds. This is as marked in the shepherd dog as hunt- 
ing or standing birds is to the setter or pointer, and it only 
requires a little patience and care to make a pretty fair dog 
out of any thoroughbred puppy of this breed. 

After all, if the sheep-raiser gives the proper care and 
attention to his shrep which they ought to have — and if he 
does not do so, he ought not to embark in the business — 
there is no necessity of his losing his sheep by dogs. Mr. 
Cockrill, who has :i large flock within three or four miles 



[152] 

of Nashville, told the writer that he never lost any sheep 
by dog>^. When asked iiow he avoided it, he replied that 
he always kept a shotgun ready, and whenever a dog came 
aiound his premises he killed him. His neighbors who 
had dogs, understood this, and kept them at home, and 
€ven the dogs themselves, he said, by a sort of instinctive 
perception of what would be their fate if they approached 
too near, concluded to keep away. 

WHAT OUR CORKESPONDENTS SAY ABOUT DOGS — ANSWERS TO OUR CIRCU- 
LARS ON THE DOG QUESTION. 

C. T. P. Jarnagin, Mossy Creek, Jefferson county: Any dogs killing 
sheep? Answer: Their name is legion. Dogs at a premium. We are 
afraid toraise sheep. 

W. G. Ewin, Hurricane Mills, Hickman county: You might say all 
the dogs in the county. The repeal of the dog law deterred some from 
buying fine sheep and bringing them into the county. 

J. A. Turley, Cog Hill, McMinn county: Yes! One hundred head 
killed in the upper edge of Bradley county last week, and a few killed in 
this vicinity every week. 

T.J.Knox, Charleston, Bradley county: Seventy-five killed within 
five miles of this vicinity since the adjournment of the Legislature. 

J. N. Gutln'ie, Gallatin, Sumner county: Since they — the dogs — have 
been freed by our Solons, sheep-killing is on the increase, and so are the 
dogs. 

G. T. Allman, Cornersville : Twenty-five per cent of our sheep are 
destroyed by dogs, valued at $18,000. 

W. Williams, Edgefield, Davidson county: Five to ten per cent, of 
the sheep in this county destroyed by dogs. 

Jno. F. Hauser, Gruetli, Grundy county : About one-third of the 
whole number. 

H. C. Williams, Marcella Falls, Lawrence county: One-tenth of the 
whole number killed by dogs. 

A. B. Cummings, Jonesboro, Washington county: About one-half of 
the whole number. 

M. L. Thomas, Sullivan county: One-fourth of the whole number. 

J. T. Keith, .Jackson, Madison county: Twenty per cent., both as to 
number and value. 

N. B. Cheairs, Spring Hill, Maury county: $2,500 in value destroyed 
by dogs in our county. 

J. K. J. Blackburn, Lynnville, Giles county : Very few were killed 
while the dog law was in force. 



[153] 

M. A. Hardin, Decatur, Meigs county : We had very few killed while 
the dog law was in operation.' 

Geo. W. Atchley, Decatur, Meigs county : From one-half to three- 
fourths of the entire apiount of sheep. 

Wm. C. Doughtenson, Waverly, Humphreys county: About ten per 
cent, destroyed bv dogs. 

J. S. Lindsay," Campbell county : Five hundred head destroyed, worth 

$1,500. 

Elijah Dougherty, Johnson county : In the last three years but few, 
but previous to the dog law one-fourth were killed, including lambs. 
Sheep husbandry could be made very remunerative in this country if it 
were not for the dogs. I know no branch of industry that would pay so 
. well. We have thousands of acres lying dormant, that would make the 
best sheep-walks, that cannot be utilized for any other purpose. Are we 
never to have any protection for the rearing of this useful animal? 

Geo. T. Allman, Cornersville, Giles county: I think twenty per cent, 
of our sheep are annually killed by worthless dogs. 

Lorenzo Stratton, Grassy Cove: Twenty per cent, of the sheep of this 
county are said to have been killed by dogs within the last thirty days. 

J. A. Jones, Cannon county : A great many. The dogs commenced 
soon after the dog law was repealed. 

Some of our sbeep-raisers have adopted the plan of not 
permitting the freedraen employed by them on the farm to 
keep any dogs. They find it greatly reduces the number of 
worthless curs prowling around. 

A most effectual method to stop the production of trifling 
dogs, and 'one that will inflict no injury on any one, is a 
law imposing a tax upon bitches. By the influence of such 
a law, the many worthless curs and mongrels would be de- 
stroyed, while good ones would be retained. The fear of 
popular favor, however, renders it extremely doubtful if 
any law protecting sheep from dogs will ever be enacted. 
It is strange, too, when the wool and meat of the sheep 
clothes and feeds a large portion of the human family, and 
the hair of the dog never clothed, nor his flesh never fed, 
any class but savages. 

[From the New York "South."] 

"The canine onslaught in the towns and cities, North 
and South, on account of the fear of the horrors of hydro- 



[154] 

phobia, is well calculated to re- awaken iuquiry as to the 
cause, consistency and wisdom of the lenity shown in vari- 
ous sections of the country, to curs of various degrees. A 
late Tennessee correspondent of the Cincinnati Commercial 
makes a fair exhibit of the too prevalent folly in this re- 
gard. Tennessee has recently chosen to stand by the dog, 
instead of the sheep. And taking the population of the 
two States as a basis of comparison, this correspondent finds 
that there are nine dogs in Tennessee to one in Ohio. In 
Ohio there is but one dog to every twenty- seven people, 
and as for sheep, there are forty- six sheep in that State to 
one dog. The Ohio farmers annually receive over twelve 
millions of dollars for their wool and mutton. On an 
average the farmers of every county of Ohio receive over 
one hundred thousand dollars cash, annually, for their sur- 
plus wool and mutton. 

"There is nothing within the domain of agriculture in 
which the permanent interest of even the average farmer 
may be more essentially promoted than by sheep-raising 
and goat- raising. And yet, on account of the strangely 
delusive dog detriment, of which The South has so often 
complained, indefinite millions of dollars are annually lost 
to the Southern country, on account of the enforced neglect 
or abandonment of sheep culture — to say nothing of the 
dangers and death from the most hideous madness — all en- 
dured out of deference to the dogs. What men ! 

"As the writer quoted well and truly says, sheep are an 
emblem of civilization. He should have added — peace and 
innocence. Wherever you find them in greatest numbers, 
you will find wealth and prosperity. This is true the world 
over. A sheep is a producer in two senses: it produces 
both food and clothing, and also enriches the land it occu- 
pies more effectually than can he done in any other way. 
And this destruction among almost the most useful of our 
domestic animals is nearly as much to be deplored on ac- 
count of the worthless and wanton character of the de- 



[155] 

stroyer and the utterly defenseless and helpless nature of 
his victim, as from the economic view of the matter. It 
thus seems the more strange that measures are not carried 
to the point of exterminating this enemy of the sheep ; for 
it is quite within the power of sheep-raisers and farmers 
generally, legislatures failing them, to rid themselves effect- 
ually of this foe to their flocks. It only requires a little 
more energetic endeavor than has heretofore been apparent 
among farmers, with a little science and something of 
method and combination in their efforts, to thoroughly 
suppress this evil. 

'^ Farmers have need of watch-dogs to guard their flocks 
and other property; but they should adopt and enforce a 
strict rule among themselves to tolerate none but a good 
breed — the shepherd dog, heretofore commended in these 
columns, being sufficient for all ordinary purposes. All 
dogs habitually inclined to wander from home should be 
destroyed. The country cannot suffer any loss in the sud- 
denness and completeness of their taking off. Sheep-rais- 
ing will then become at once safe and one of the most 
prosperous and agreeable pursuits of the American agricul- 
turist. 

"Those States, or parts of States, in which the dogs 
threaten to outnumber the people, are, at best, fostering a 
very crooked agricultural enterprise. The expenditure of 
labor and capital necessary to the commencement of suc- 
cessful sheep husbandry is so small, and the profits are so 
comparatively large, that people should be encouraged to 
engage more extensively, as well for their own as for the 
general good, more especially as, in the South and South- 
west, there are not only naturally fertile lands that need 
the restorative presence of the sheep, but also many and 
vast areas of land awaiting the coming of the shepherd and 
the goatherd and his flocks, and seemingly designed by na- 
ture to enrich him and the country through them. 

"But before the impoverished farms, or the now worth- 



[156] 

less wilderness can blossom with the fleecy whiteness of the 
sheep and the goat, they must be protected from the dogs. 
This is no doubt really the duty of the States — a humane 
and economic duty. But if the Stales fail of their duty in 
the premises, the farmers must do it. And if no higher or 
nobler motive impels them, let a mercenary one suffice to 
stop the neglect and waste of avooI and mutton, and so pro- 
mote the universal increase of the flocks and herds, the 
wealth of the nation and the prosperity of all." 



[157] 



CHAPTER XI. 

DISEASES OF SHEEP. 

The digestive system of the sheep is the most powerful 
of all the domestic animals, the principal energy of the 
nervous system being expended on that branch of the organ- 
ism. The skeleton is nearer that of an ox than any other 
animal, and both alike are ruminants, that is " cud chewers." 
Perhaps there is a more universal ignorance of what is 
" cud " than one would suppose. It is often thought that 
when the sheep loses its cud it is in great and imminent 
danger of its life, and many devices are resorted to to avert 
so great a calamity. Now, practically, this is true so far as 
the danger is concerned, but replacing it with an artificial 
one is the veriest nonsense. It denotes a bad condition of 
the digestive organs not to be able to regurgitate the cud, 
and unless that condition is quickly altered the animal 
will surely die. This will become apparent when the 
anatomy of the sheep is understood. We do not, however, 
deem it necessary in our limited space to give a detailed 
account of the structure of the sheep any more than is 
necessary to explain the modus operandi of digestion wherein 
it is different from other domestic animals. There is but 
little difference between this in sheep and cattle, both as be- 
fore stated being ruminants. 

The stomach is a large pouch, with irregular sacs, that 
however communicate with each other, but are designated 
as separate stomachs. There are four of these sacs, called 
the rumen or paunch ; reticulum or honeycomb ; omasum 
or manyplies ; and the abomasium or rennet. The gullet 
or swallow leads into the rumen or paunch, and the gut or 
duodenum leads out from the rennet. The gullet enters the 



[158] 

paunch so near the honeycomb that the latter is supposed to 
be a sort of reservoir to the paunch, holding the food for 
the re-chewing and ruminating process. 

The act of rumination is chewing the cud, and is ex- 
plained as follows : The animal eats rapidly, chewing very 
slightly, and continues until the paunch and honeycomb are 
filled. By an act of muscular contraction, under the will 
of the animal, the paunch compresses a wad of the indi- 
gested food, and returns it to the mouth, where it is masti- 
cated thoroughly and returned to the paunch, and is passed 
by that into the third stomach or manyplies, so called from 
the number of plaits or folds of the mucus membrane lining 
it. Here it undergoes some unknown preparation, and 
passes into the rennet, where the gastric juice is secreted, 
and now undergoes true digestion. Sometimes a very small 
«[uantity of food is swallowed, and so well chewed up that 
it passes directly on for digestion without being eructated 
for regrinding, and this is the case where meal or some other 
•concentrated form of nutriment is used ; then they do not 
chew the " cud," and yet are not sick. The folly of sup- 
posing a piece of dried beef or a rag will serve the purpose 
of a cud is apparent after this explanation of what it is. 
Sometimes the vegetable matter in the first stomach fer- 
ments, and such a quantity of gas is generated the sheep 
swells to bursting, and is utterly unable to throw up the 
^'cud." This is called 

HOVEN, 

and is quite common in sheep when turned on a fine, rich 
pasture, especially clover. It is known by the large dis- 
tension of the sheep, especially on the left side. The size 
of the stomach interferes with the room for breathing, con- 
sequently the breathing is short, in fact it becomes so short 
there is danger of suffocation unless relief comes speedily. 
It requires something to stop the fermentation, and saline 
mixture by chemical reaction on the acid contents of the 



[159] 

stomach will neutralize it, and the relief is immediate. 
Spirits of ammonia, a teaspoonful in one-half pint of water, 
given with a horn or bottle as a drench will be effective. It 
should be followed up with a dose of Epsom salts, to carry 
off the offending substance. Carbonate of soda, such as is 
used for making biscuits, will answer if ammonia cannot be 
procured. A tablespoonful every half hour, until relieved, 
should be given either in water or let the tongue be pulled 
out and the soda emptied on its root. The withdrawal of 
the tongue into the mouth will carry the medicine down 
the throat. A bolus of lime and flour mixed and greased 
with lard, and pushed down the throat, is also effective. 
Chloroform and laudanum in equal quantities, a half tea- 
spoonful each every hour or two will also oftentimes give 
relief. Sometimes, however, the swelling has progressed so 
far that medicine fails to give any relief. Then as a dernier 
resort the side must be punctured with a trochar, such as 
surgeons use in dropsy. Every doctor has one. This will 
prevent the escape of the contents of the stomach into the 
cavity of the abdomen, producing thereby inflammation of 
the bowels, or rather peritonitis. This will permit the gas 
to escape, and then the saline medicines should be adminis- 
tered to prevent its re-formation. 

The intestines of a sheep are very long, being twenty- 
eight times longer than its body, while those of man are only 
five times longer. In their great length there is room for 
many diseases, conspicuous among which the 

TAPE-WORM 

is most common. They contract this disease by swallowing 
along with grass the eggs that have been voided by animals 
of various kinds infested with them, especially the dog. 
Sheep dying from worms are found after death to have the 
bowels packed full of them as if stuffed. The symptoms 
are variable, appetite sometimes being voracious, and again 



[160] 

refusing food altogether, loss of condition, and a morbid 
appetite for stones, gravel, ashes, sand and earth. The dung 
becomes soft, losing its ball-shape, and adhering to its legs 
and tail, making the shrub appear quite filth)'. This disease 
cannot be prevented, as it is liable to come from wild and 
domestic animals alike, but it is easily cured. Take turpen- 
tine and linseed oil, two parts of oil and one of turpentine, 
and mix in a strong decoction or tea, made of worm seed, 
and drench the sheep about twice a week. In two or three 
weeks it will get well, and begin to fatten. An old sheep, 
or after six years of age, will not have them. 

THREAD WOEMS 

are also common in sheep. Affected with these they will 
lose flesh rapidly, and have diarrhsea constantly. The 
worms will be seen about the vent. Salt and copperas ad- 
ministered freely will soon relieve them, or if that does not 
then use the turpentine and linseed oil. There are many 
other forms and kinds of worms, but the treatment is the 
same. They must be well fed after treatment. 

Sheep are infested with worms in the nose, called astrus 
ovis (Sheep gad-fly), and produced from the eggs of a large 
two-winged fly. The frontal sinuses above the nose in 
sheep and other animals are the places where these worms 
live and attain their full growth. These sinuses are always 
full of a soft white matter, which furnishes these worms 
with a proper nourishment, and are sufficiently large for their 
habitation, and when they have acquired their destined 
growth in which they are fit to undergo their changes for 
the fly-state, they leave their old habitation, and falling to 
the earth, bury themselves there, and then they are hatched 
into flies. The female, when she has been impregnated by 
the male, knows that the nose of a sheep or other animal is 
the only place for her to deposit her eggs in order to their 
coming to maturity. The fly produced from this worm has 



[161] 

all the time of its life a very lazy disposition, and does not 
like to make any use either of its legs or wings. Its head 
and corslet together are about as long as its body, which is 
composed of five rings, streaked on the back, a pale yellow 
and brown are then disposed in irregular spots, the belly is 
of the same colors, but they are more regularly disposed, 
for the brown hue makes three lines, one in the middle, and 
one on each side, and all the intermediate spaces are yellow. 
The wings are nearly of tlie same length with the body, and 
are a little inclined in their position, so as to lie upon the 
body. They do not, however, cover it, but a naked space 
Is left between them. The fly will live two months after it 
is first produced, but will take no nourishment of any kind, 
and possibly may be of the same nature with butterflies, 
which never take any food while living in that state. 

The treatment for this affection is comprised in one word, 
and that word is tar. It may be applied in any way to the 
nose, but the best method of doing so is to bore a hole in a 
log, fill with tar, and put some salt over it. In this way a 
hundred sheep will tar their own noses in a few minutes. 

SCAB 

is a cutaneous disease, owing to an impurity of the bloody 
and is most prevalent in wet lands, or in rainy seasons. It 
is cured by tobacco- water, brimstone and alum boiled to- 
gether, and then rubbed over the sheep. Another remedy 
is to dip the sheep in a strong decoction of tobacco, rubbing 
it well into the wool and skin. 

HYTADIDS 

is a distemper caused by bladders of water gathering in the 
head. No cure has been discovered. 

THE EICKETS 

is a hereditary disease, for which no antidote is known. The \ 
first symptom is a kind of light headiness, which makes the 
11 



[162] 

afflicted sheep appear wilder than usual when approached. 
He bounces up suddenly, runs to a distance as though 
pressed by dogs. In the second stage the principal symp- 
tom is the sheep rubbing himself against trees, etc., with such 
fury as to pull off his wool and tear away his flesh. The 
last stages of the disease seem only to be the progress of 
dissolution after an unfavorable crisis. The poor animal, as 
condemned by nature, appears stupid, walks irregularly 
(whence probably the name of rickets), generally his head 
down, and eats little. These symptoms increase in degree 
till death, which follows a general consumption, which ap- 
pears upon the dissection of the carcass. 

THE FLUX 

is another disease sheep are subject to. The best remedy is 
to house the sheep immediately, keep them warm, and feed 
them on dry hay, giving them frequent glysters of warm 
milk and water. The cause is either feeding on wet lands 
or on grass that has become mossy. 

The popular theory, says Mr. Randall, is that 

THE GRUB 

■causes death by boring through the bony walls which sur- 
round the brain. This seems to me an absurdity. If the 
grub actually penetrates to the brain, the fact would be 
readily disclosed after death. The full-grown grub would 
naturally leave an orifice of considerable diameter through 
the skull. Who has seen such an orifice? During the 
ascent of the larvae the sheep stamps, tosses its head vio- 
lently, and dashes away from its companions wildly over the 
field. The larv£e remain in the sinuses feeding on the mu- 
cus secreted by the membrane, and apparently creating no 
further annoyance, until ready to assume their proper form 
in the succeeding spring. 

Smearing their noses with tar, it is supposed, will keep 



[163] 

the fly from depositing its eggs. Blacklock says that the 
larvse may be dislodged by blowing tobacco smoke through 
the tail of a pipe into the nostril. The Mexican shepherds 
apply calomels to the parts. 

Lambs when first dropped may appear strong and healthy, 
yet in a few days they begin to droop, and finally die. If 
yon open the stomach of such lambs, in some cases you will 
find it packed and distorted with a hard curd, which was the 
cause of their death. The remedy is to feed the breeding 
ewes with some kind of a mild alkali, like ashes, for some 
time previous to their lambs being dropped. 

EOT. 

This is one of the most fatal diseases with which sheep 
are afflicted. On dissecting sheep that die of this disorder, 
a great number of insects called ' flukes ' are found in the 
liver. That these flukes are the cause of the rot therefore 
is evident, but to explain how they come into the liver is 
not so easy. It is probable that they are swallowed while 
in the egg state. The eggs deposited in the tender germ are 
conveyed into the stomach and intestines of the animal, 
whence they are received into the lacteal vessels, carried off 
into the chyle, and pass into the blood. Nor do they 
meet with any obstruction until they arrive at the capillary 
vessels of the liver. Here the blood filterates through the 
branches, through the extreme branches, answering to those 
of the vina porta in the human body. The receiving vessels 
are too minute to admit the impregnated ova, which, adher- 
ing to the membrane, produce these animalculse that feed 
upon the liver and destroy the sheep. They much resemble 
the flat fish called plaice, and are sometimes as large as a silver 
two-pence. It is therefore easy to conceive that sheep may, 
on wet ground especially, take multitudes of these eggs in 
their food, and that the stomach and viscera of the sheep 
being a proper residence for them, they of course hatch, and 



[164] 

appearing in their fluke or last state, feed on the liver of 
of the animal, and occasion this disorder. It is a singular 
fact no ewe ever has the rot while she has a lamb by her 
side. It may be that the impregnated ovum passes into the 
milk, and never arrives at the liver. It is said that parsley 
is a good remedy, given as a strong decoction. Salt is also 
a useful remedy ; salt is pernicious to most insects. Lisle 
speaks of a farmer who cured his whole flock by giving 
each sheep a handful of Spanish salt for five or six morn- 
ings successively. In wet, warm weather the prudent farmer 
will remove his sheep from the lands liable to rot. 

DIAEEHCEA. 

This disease is often more properly a nervous than 2l febrile 
one — in the former case a morbid increase of the peristaltic 
motion of the bowels ; in the latter an inflammation of the 
mucous coat of the smaller intestines. It is brought on by 
sudden change from dry food to green, or by the introduc- 
tion of improper substances into the stomach. It is im- 
portant to clearly distinguish this disease from dysentery. 
In diarrhoea there is no apparent general fever. The appe- 
tite is good, the stools are thin and watery, but unaccom- 
panied with slime and mucous and blood. Confinement to 
dry food for a day or two oftentimes suffice for grown sheep. 
To lambs, especially if attagked in the fall, the disease is 
more serious. If the purging is severe, accompanied by 
mucous, give a gentle cathartic — half a drachm of rhubarb, 
or an ounce of Epsom salts, to the lamb. This should be 
followed by an astringent — say one-fourth ounce of prepared 
chalk in half a pint of tepid milk once a day for three days, 
"which will be generally sufficient. Another remedy : pre- 
pared chalk, one ounce ; powdered catechu, half an ounce ; 
powdered ginger, two drachms ; powdered opium, half a 
drachm; mix with half a pint of peppermint water; give 
two or three table-spoonsful morning and night to sheep; 
half that quantity to a lamb. 



[165] 

For Dysentery — "Administer a couple of purges of linseed 
oil, followed by chalk and milk, as in diarrhoea, doubling 
the dose of chalk, twenty drops of laudanum, with ginger 
and gentian powder." 

For Colic — Sometimes called Stretches: Give one-half 
ounce Epsom salts, sixty drops of peppermint, one drachm 
ginger. Salts alone will generally effect a cure. 

SHEEP TICK. 

This troublesome insect infests sheep of all ages, but none 
so much as yearlings ; but it can be easily and effectually 
eradicated. For one hundred lambs use five pounds of in- 
ferior tobacco, or ten pounds of stems, boil it for several 
hours ; then take two buckets full of water and one from 
the boiled liquor, and keep adding till thirty gallons of de- 
coction is made ; immerse the lambs, and let the liquor drain 
off into the tub again to avoid waste. About a week after 
shearing, the ticks will have left the ewes and fastened 
themselves upon the lamb, which will be the proper time to 
attend to them. The lambs must be held by the head with 
both hands, and then dipped to the ears, using great care 
that none of the decoction gets into the eyes or mouth. It 
will not be necessary to dip the ewes. The tobacco decoc- 
tion will be found excellent for slight wounds of the skin 
and cutaneous irritations from johnswort. " Buchan's car- 
bolic sheep dip " will do it more effectually than tobacco, 
and is less troublesome to use. Directions are for the prep- 
aration in the drug stores. 

MAGGOT FLY. 

Sheep in summer are subjected to extreme annoyance 
from flies — the gad-fly and several other varieties. They 
deposit their eggs among the wool. When the eggs are 
hatched, which is almost instantaneous, the maggot erodes 
the skin, and soon brings the adjacent parts into a fit condi- 



[166] 

tion for the reception of others. The backs of the long- 
wooled sheep are, from their exposure, more liable to be 
selected by the flies as a receptacle for their eggs than the 
corresponding parts that are covered by a short thick fleece. 
As soon as the maggot begins its operations the sheep be- 
comes restless and uneasy, rubbing itself on stones and trees, 
endeavoring to free itself from the annoyance. If not re- 
lieved, death will inevitably ensae. Tar, with spirits of 
turpentine, may be applied about the ears, horns, tail, 
and to the parts aflfected, or flour of sulphnr mixed with 
melted butter. Calomel is also an excellent remedy for 
this as for all sores ; every sheep and stock raiser should 
keep a bottle of it on hand. It is a cheap and convenient 
remedy, and always ready for use. 

WOUNDS 

may originate in a variety of ways, and may be of any ex- 
tent. In the first place, if the bleeding is very extensive, 
it must be stopped by getting a hold on the end of the 
artery, and give it a few twists. This will generally put a 
stop to it, as sheep rarely bleed to death. The wound 
should be washed clean, and if it gapes open a few stitches 
should be taken in it to close it up. It should then be 
smeared over with tar, grease, and a little vitriol mixed with 
it. This will not only promote healing, but will keep off 
the fly, which will inevitably grow a crop of maggots on it 
if allowed to go without. Should the maggots appear at 
any time, grease will destroy their lives at once, as they 
breathe through pores of the skin, and the grease entering 
and stopping these pores suffocates them at once. 

Let it be borne in mind, however, that the best way to 
cure a disease is to prevent it. Let all care be taken pos- 
sible, have good pastures and good shelters, and feed well, 
and there will be but little use for the veterinary surgeon. 



[167] 



DISEASES OF FEET. 

The foot of a sheep is peculiarly liable to disease, from 
the fact that the onter horn or crust is connected directly 
by a vascular structure to the bone itself, which is unlike 
the horse, the latter having the hoof connected by means of 
laminee, so that in ihe horse the hoof can bear a vast 
amount of concussion without injury. The hoof of a sheep's 
foot grows from the underlying vascular surface, just as the 
nails of the human foot. There is a small canal that opens 
out on the front of the foot, about an inch above the fork 
of the hoof. This canal leads backwards and downwards 
to a gland which secretes mucus that overflows down be- 
tween the toes, keeping them moist. Sometimes this canal 
gets stopped up, and then ulceration ensues, making the 
sheep lame until it bursts out and empties itself. This 
canal is called the interdigltal canal, and if the sheep is 
seen limping at any time, and no other cause can be detected 
for it, it will be best to run a straw or knitting needle into 
the canal. 

Foot-rot. — But the most formidable disease of the foot 
is the foot rot. Being contagious, unless it is promptly 
checked, it will get all over the flock. It is most common 
in sheep that run on wet pastures. The whole hoof is in- 
volved, and unless it is soon cured the hoof comes off. 
When sheep are observed limping, if, on examination, the 
heel and betvi'een the toes are found full of blisters, it may 
be known at once to be foot-rot. The feet are so painful 
the sheep will be seen walking on their knees. Many 
remedies are offered, but the first thing is to put them on 
dry pastures so that remedies will adhere to the feet. As 
soon as the disease is recognized, let all the dead or dry 
parts be trimmed (iff, and then washed about twice a week 
in carbolic acid soaj), and after each washing wrap the foot 



[168] 

up in a tow cloth that has been dipped in the following 
mixture ; 

Oxide copper 4 oz. 

Aisenic | oz. 

Acetic acid , 3 oz. 

Honey 8 oz. 

Or the foot may be smeared with the following mixture : 

Powdered blue vitriol 1 Hb. 

Verdigris J Bb. 

Linseed oil 1 pt. 

Pine tar 1 qt. 

This will stick to the foot, and is very effective. 

The digital canal should be kept open. Another method 
is the following, which can be more easily applied, especially 
where mauy are affected : 

Procure a tub sufficiently large for two sheep to stand in 
it; pour into the tub a saturated solution of blue vitriol and 
water, as hot as can be endured by the hand for only a mo- 
tnent. Have the liquor about four inches deep, and keep it 
at that depth by frequent additions of the hot solution. As 
soon as a sheep's feet are pared put him in the tub, and 
hold him there by the neck; get another ready and stand 
him by the side of the first. After the first has stood in 
the tub about five minutes, take him out and replace him 
by another, and so on till the whole flock have been gone 
through with. I have always found this remedy effect a 
perfect cure. The hot liquid penetrates to every cavity of 
the loot, and, doubtless, has a more decisive effect than is 
produced by merely wetting them. Twelve pounds of 
vitriol is sufficient for one hundred sheep. 

PELT EOT. 

This is a disease of the skin, as the name implies. It 
causes the premature falling off of the wool in the spring of 
the year. 



[169 1 

It is produced by exposure during the winter, and low 
condition — the latter principally. 

Preventive. — Good shelters and good keeping. Let the 
wool fluids be kept healthy and abundant, and there will be 
no danger of any attack from this disease. 



[170] 



CHAPTER XIL 

THE STRUCTURE AND USES OF WOOL. 

Wool is almost identical in its structure with hair, the 
only dijffereiice being that wool is curly and very fine, in 
contrast to hair, which is straight and coarse. 

The peculiarity of the structure of wool, that causes it ta 
'* felt," is, first, its extreme curliness, and secondly, its scales. 
Hair grows from the true skin, passing through the outer or 
false skin. The one is called the derma, the other is called 
the epidermis. The hair follicle or germ is situated in the 
former, and is propagated by germs, which being formed by 
the follicle, the preceding ones are pushed out as the new 
ones are formed. These germs are in the shape of scales. 
If it were possible to make a stack of very minute fish 
scales, one upon another, with the center of each one capped 
and the fifth outer circle turned up, this tall stack would 
represent a hair. Looking at a hair from one side with a 
powerful microscope, it looks like a saw, or if the entire hair 
is seen it looks like a long cylinder covered with shingles. 
Take two hairs and place them together, with the ends re- 
versed, and these scale points will hang. Rub a hair be- 
tween the fingers and it will travel towards the upper end» 
This is caused by the points of these scales hanging to the 
fingers, and thus it is pushed along. It is this quality that 
makes wool felt ; but it would still not felt well unless it 
was curved. Therefore wool, which as before remarked i& 
curved hair, has minute waves in it. These are caused by 
a regular thickening of the cortical part of the fibre, and 
this thickening occurs alternately on one side or the other. 
The value of the wool depends upon this curly character, as 
the felting property is produced by it. There is great dif- 
ference in the fineness of wool. The common coarse wools 



[171] 

staud at about the rate of 5,000 to 6,000 fibres to the square 
inch, while the fine Merinos require to the square inch 
40,000 or even 48,000. To show the effects of breed upon 
the wool by actual experiment, a coarse wooled sheep with 
only one-twentieth of a Merino cross in it had 25,000 fibres 
to the square inch. This shows the great importance of 
having pure bred sheep for a certain purpose. It is said 
that the presence of one-millionth part of the blood of a 
coarse sheep is sufficient to reduce the fineness of the fleece 
perceptibly. These facts are given to show the great ne- 
cessity of having absolutely pure breeds, if wool is the prin- 
ciple object of raisiug sheep. 

All over the skin of a sheep are small glands that secrete 
a mucus called ^^yolk," that keeps the wool soft and prevents 
it from felting. When the yolk is first secreted it is fluid, 
and in some breeds it remains so. In the Merinos it be- 
comes stiff and dry, and adheres to the wool, adding greatly 
to its weight. This yolk is an alkaloid substance, and forms 
a sort of soap, soluble in water. By its aid the wool can be 
washed without soap. This yolk forms about twenty per 
cent, of the weight of the wool. It is a great mistake, there- 
fore, for persons to wash the wool to get a larger price, a& 
some do. Besides, by withdrawing the yolk from the wool 
it becomes harsh and dry, and is much more liable to injure 
by felting or tangling. In some countries this yolk is pre- 
served in the washing, and large quantities of potash are 
made from it. The presence of this yolk in wool is an indi- 
cation of its superior quality, although it may be produced 
in such excessive quantities that it becomes a source of actual 
loss to the manufacturer. This is a question that will be 
settled by the wool grower and manufacturer. 

CLASSIFICATION OF WOOL. 

It is very important that persons engaging in wool grow- 
ing should acquaint themselves with the kinds of wool cal- 
,culated to bring the highest price ; but it will be found a 



[172] 

difficult matter to keep up with the popular kinds, inasmuch 
as they are constantly changing. The sort of wool popular 
to-day or to morrow, may be supplanted by some other 
kind next year. 

The wools are divided into two classes, short and long. 
They are again subdivided into several grades, such as su- 
perfine, fine, medium and coarse. A former grade prevailed 
of carding and combing wools, but from the great improve- 
ment in the machinery used in woolen manufactures these 
terms have been well nigh discarded. At one time none 
but the Cotswold or kindred wools could be combed, but 
now the Merino and Southdown wools, even under three 
inches long, are included in the list of combing wools. At 
one time the price of Merino wool was by far greater than 
any other sort. Now the coarse and common breed wools 
sell for as much or more than the Merino. A few years ago, 
the Cotswold sold very much higher than other breeds, but 
the past year long wools were in less demand than the South- 
downs. There is never, however, more than a few cents dif- 
ference in the prices. 

As a rule, medium wools come nearer bringing the best 
regular prices, as they offer a variety of wool for both comb- 
ing and carding purposes. 

It may be well to explain the difference between the 
two. 

Combing wool is the kind that can be combed out into 
long fibres, and thus spun into thread. It is joined at the 
ends and shows no points of fibres sticking out. It is used 
for making cloths that show the thread, such as delaines, 
cashmeres and others of like character. 

The Carding wools are those in which the fibres are so 
intermingled that the ends show in every direction, and of 
such a.re made cloth intended to be carded up to hide the 
threads, such as broadcloth, cassimere, cassinet and hats. 
Sometimes a fleece will felt on the sheep's back. This is an 
evidence of a low condition, or sick sheep, and they should 



[173] 

never be allowed to live to be shorn twice. It is the absence 
of yolk that produces it. 

. Wool in its native condition contains a large amount of im- 
purities, such as sand, gravel, dirt, dung, twigs of trees, ce- 
dar leaves (in cedar countries), and many other things. The 
purchaser, of course, is not expected to pay full price for all 
these things, and yet the grower is not required to wash the 
yolk out. For the purpose of cleansing it of the more prom- 
inent impurities, many farmers resort to washing. This is 
generally and better done before shearing. In all old sheep 
raising countries it is looked upon as a frolic, where all the 
neighbors gather together, boys and girls, and make a frolic 
over it. Enough of the impurities can be got out in this 
way to make a fair merchantable wool, and at the same time 
not destroy the quality. Of course, let the seller wash it as 
much as he will, it still must be washed a great deal before 
it can be manufactured. 

THE USES OF THE SEVEEAL KINDS OF WOOL. 

Kentucky and Tennessee wools are identical in quality 
and uses, and what is said in the subjoined article, taken 
from the Rural New YorJcer, in reference to Kentucky wools 
will equally apply to those of Tennessee : 

" There is always a satisfaction to the producer of raw ma- 
terial in learning the uses to which his products are to be 
put when manufaclurfd. Many people keep different breeds 
of sheep, and have often but a misty notion of the purposes 
to which the wool of each variety is applied. In this con- 
nection, Leonard Drane lately read, at the annual meeting 
of the Kentucky Wool- Growers' Association, an address on 
■wool and its classification for market. Besides a full ac- 
count of the special subject which he proposed to treat of, 
the speech was rich in other information connected with 
sheep husbandry, and we have therefore here condensed it 
for the benefit of our readers. 



[174] 

"It has been asked of manufacturers, 'What is the most 
pressing necessity of your manufantiie?' and answered, 'We 
want more domestic wool ;' but I would say, we want more 
domestic wool improved to suit the manufacturer. There 
are forty- six mills in the United States that use foreign wool 
entirely, and seven hundred and sixty-seven that use both 
domestic and foreign wool, or nine hundred and thirty-one 
mills using seventy per cent, of foreign wool. Would man- 
ufacturers import wool if they were supplied at home with 
the various kinds they want to use ? They would not. 

" I have condensed the uses of wool into three classes 
from Mr. J. L. Hays' report to the Department of Agricul- 
ture in 1872. Merino wool is used in opera and common 
flannels, blankets, shawls, shirts, vests, skirts, drawers, car- 
digans, hose, fancy cassimeres, meltons, overcoatings, light 
<;oatings, fancy cloakings, some varieties of delaines, co- 
burgs, cashmeres, ladies' dress goods, and all mixtures of 
wool with shoddy; the longest and finest Merino wools are 
used to carry wool substitutes. The peculiar excellence of 
Merino wools is found in the soundness and strength of all 
goods they are used in. 

'•' Combing wools are used in shawls, fancy knit goods, 
ladies' fancy cloakings, serges, moreens, alpacas, cloth lin- 
ings, mohair lusters, lasting, damasks for furniture, furni- 
ture covering, curtains, table-cloths, reps for furniture and 
curtains, webbing for reins, girths, suspenders, flags, mili- 
tary sashes, cords and tassels, nubias, braids, bindings, etc., 

etc. 

" Coarse wools are used in common flannels, blankets, also 

the noils of combing wool. The warps of ingrain carpets, 
two or three-ply, consume our coarsest long wools; the 
shortest stapled coarse wools are used for filling. 

" We should grow in Kentucky best pure Lincolnshir e 
Cotswold, Ramboullet Merinos, and Southdowns, and cross 
them on our native sheep and each other until we establish 
new races. Kentucky stands fourteenth in the number of 



[175] 

sheep, compared to other States in 1876 — Indiana, 1,250,000 ; 
Iowa, 1,663,900 ; Missouri, 1,284,200 ; Wisconsin, 1,62,800 ; 
Illinois, 1,311,000 ; Michigan, 3,450,600 ; California, 6,750,- 
000; Kentucky, 683,600; in the United States, 30,000,000 
to 36,000,000. There are three States that have more sheep 
than Kentucky produces pounds of wool. No animal pays 
better profit. The clip of the United States for 1876 was 
about 200,000,000; of England, Ireland, and Scotland, about 
162,000,000, mostly combing ; of the continent of Europe, 
about 462,000,000; of Australasia, about 350,000,000; of 
Buenos Ayres and River La Plata, about 207,000,000. 
These are the principal wool-growing countries of the world, 
and produced 1,282,000,000 out of the estimated 1,419,000,- 
000 on the entire globe. 

" The value of all kinds of wool is determined by its 
strength, luster, working qualities and shrinkage. Wool is 
divided by governments for tariff, and wool merchants, into 
three classes : Clothing, Combing, and Carpet, and is pro- 
duced in quantities in this order. Kentucky wool should 
be classed as combing, delaine, medium coarse and black. 
Wool merchants separate each division into as many classes 
as there are distinct qualities of staple in each division, to 
suit the purchaser. Manufacturers take the fleeces, putting 
them into as many classes as there are distinct qualities of 
staple in each fleece, according to its length, color, luster, 
etc., except the gumming locks, which they will not buy un- 
washed. 

" Clothing wool is generally divided into three classes — 
fine, medium and coarse. The average price for fifty-three 
years, since 1824, for each class, per washed pound, is for 
fine, 61|^c.; medium, bQ^c. ; coarse, 51c., or nearly 5|^c. per 
pound less on each class as it grows coarser. Average price 
per washed pound Australian in London, from 1862 to 1870, 
inclusive, as estimated by Mr. Bond, 43Jc. gold. Counting 
freights, commission, etc., for same period, the average price 
in currency for washed Australian, would be 80c. per pound 



[176] 

in New York, or 19c. more than any of our clothing wools, 
and 29c. more than for our coarse wools. Card or X wools 
are required to be fine, short in staple, ' full of spiral curls 
and serratures.' Combing wool consists in drawing out the 
fibres straight and parallel ; then twisting into yarn, called 
worsted, 'the ends in spinning being covered, make the yarn 
smooth and lustrous.' The staple should be generally five 
to eight inches long, having a few 'spiral curls and serra- 
tures,' with distinct luster. 

"These qualities are found in the English in their order 
of perfection, as follows — The Lincolnshire, Leicester and 
Cotswold breeds. Delaine wools are shorter and finer, and 
can be used as short as 2J inches, but it must be very fine 
and nice. The coarser the staple the longer it must be. 
These are not classed in the trade as combing wools. There 
are fine, medium, and coarse combing wools. The duty on 
this wool will equal lie. per pound, and ten per cent, ad 
valorum. Poorly- bred wools are very objectionable, hav- 
ing long, coarse, pen-pointed tops, with a fine downy bot- 
tom and coarse uneven fibres. These are generally sold for 
carpet wools. I need only say to the wool growers of this 
State that there is a wider field in the expansion of combing 
wool fabrics than your imagination can take in." 



[177] 



CHAPTER XIII. 

STATE STATISTICS AND PRESENT CONDITION OF SHEEP 
HUSBANDEY. 

During the fall of 1878 I sent circulars to the most prom- 
inent sheep raisers of every county iu the State, asking for 
certain specific information in relation to sheep husbandry. 
Although no replies were returned from many of the coun- 
ties, yet questions enough were answered to give a very 
correct idea of the present condition of sheep husbandry in 
this State. As to the number of sheep in each county, 
there were no means by which this could be determined, as 
our assessment laws do not require assessors to return the 
number of domestic animals. This much, however, is made 
apparent in the answers : that an earnest effort is making 
to improve the character of the flocks, both as to mutton 
and wool. Nearly every county reports the existence of 
high graded flocks. The Southdowus preponderate, the 
Cotswolds coming next, and the Merinos third. A few 
Leicester flocks are named, and some few good breeders in 
the State give them the preference over all others. An- 
other prominent fact is brought out, and that is the very 
small annual cost of keeping sheep. Only two report the 
annual cost as high as $2.00 per head ; thirteen above |1.00 
to $1.50; twelve the cost to be $1.00; and twenty-three 
that the cost of keeping is below $1.00, in some instances 
reaching as low a figure as 33^ cents. Taking the aver- 
age of each of the three divisions of the State, I find that 
the annual cost of keeping sheep in East Tennessee is $1.12; 
in Middle Tennessee 90 cents, and in West Tennessee 67 
cents. This arises from the fact that the climate is more 
rigorous in the elevated regions of East Tennessee than in 
the lower ones of Middle and West Tennessee. The aver- 
12 



[178] 

age elevation of East Tennessee, including the mountainous 
portions, is not far from 1,500 feet ; of Middle Tennessee, 
also including portions of the Cumberland plateau, 1,000 
feet; while the elevation of West Tennessee will hardly 
reach 500 feet, thus making a very perceptible difference in 
the number of cold days, and in the length of time between 
killing frosts and the consequent duration of green food. 
It has long been a well established fact that lambs are at 
least a month earlier in West Tennessee than in Middle, 
which can only be attributed to the fact of milder winters 
prevailing in West Tennessee, which induce very early 
growth of green grass. 

Another fact is disclosed in these questions of paramount 
value to the sheep husbandman, and that is where improved 
breeds have been introduced, lambs bring in the market 
nearly double the price they do where only natives or 
low grades are bred. Not only do the lambs of well-bred 
sheep pay better, but the wool commands a readier sale at 
increased prices. It must be borne in mind that the prices 
given in this schedule were those of 1878, when wool was 
at its minimum price. Since that time there have been a 
wonderful improvement in price, and a much greater stim- 
ulus given to sheep husbandry. 

The answers given to the question as to the yield of wool 
are not so gratifying. While the high grades yield from 
six to twelve pounds, the amount reported from the native 
sheep varies from one to four pounds. Here is the field for 
improvement. Our native flocks must be bred up until 
they shall make an average of at least five pounds per head. 
The demand for wool will, in all probability, be greatly in- 
creased during the next few years, and our farmers should 
seize the opportunity to increase the wool- producing quali- 
ties of their flocks. 

The want of woolen factories is also made painfully con- 
spicuous in the replies to the interrogatory asking for in- 
formation on that subject. Only sixteen are given, and yet 



[179] 

the supply of wool for several years past could not have 
been less than 2,000,000 pounds annually. This has had 
to seek, in a majority of cases, a market beyond the county 
where it is raised. With so many fine water powers in the 
State, home capital would find a rich reward in working up 
our supply of wool into such fabrics as are demanded to 
clothe our population. Other replies to this question are 
more to be deplored. I refer to those which indicate that 
wool enough is not grown in the county to supply local de- 
mand. There is not a county in the State in which the 
farmers cannot raise wool enough to clothe the inhabitants 
at a less cost than so many pounds of cotton would be. 
Take the average annual cost of keeping sheep, which for 
the State is not far from 80 cents per head, and credit each 
with 3^^ pounds of wool, the average of all breeds, and at 
present prices there will be an actual profit of 95 cents on 
each sheep kept, disregarding entirely the value of lambs, 
^hich would add nearly double as much, assuming the 
greater part of the flock to be ewes. A neglect by the 
farmers of our State to see and appreciate these facts is not 
encouraging, especially when persons from every part of the 
United States are now seeking for locations in the State for 
the purpose of engaging in sheep husbandry. Never was 
the time more propitious for seizing upon this industry and, 
pushing it, which can be made more remunerative in pro- 
portion to the capital employed than any other occupation 
in the State. 

Continuing the analyses of the answers given to the sched- 
ule, I find a discouraging item in the large number of sheep 
that have fallen a prey to the ruthless curs that prowl and 
growl and howl through the State. A very cursory glance 
at the replies to the question as to the number of sheep an- 
nually destroyed by dogs will serve to show that not less 
than 7,000 are annually immolated upon the altar of caninal 
affection. These 7,000 sheep would clothe comfortably 
7,000 persons, and feed 2,000 more, and yet the 182,000 



[180] 

dogs in the State are, in the estimation of many persons, 
worth more than the 1,000,000 head of sheep, which supply 
food and raiment to nearly as many people. The intelli- 
gence of the State should make an earnest endeavor to cor- 
rect public sentiment in this regard, and give greater pro- 
tection to a species of property so necessary to man's com- 
fort and welfare. 

It is very gratifying to know that no virulent disease, 
have ever infested the flocks in this State. Foot- rot, braxy, 
water in the head, and numerous other diseases, are almost 
unknown in this latitude. Old age and dogs are almost the 
only enemies to our flocks. The first is inevitable ; the last 
may be corrected by legislation, supported by an enlightened 
public sentiment. 

The explanation of the appended schedule is very simple. 
The numbers adjacent to the name of each person are placed 
adjacent to the answers given by that person under all the 
questions. The county to which the answer refers can be 
ascertained by turning to the list of names, and looking at 
the number corresponding to the answer. A careful study 
of this schedule will well repay the time employed, and 
give specific answers to questions concerning sheep hus- 
bandry in the counties reported. 



[181 



SCHEDULE OF QUESTIONS SENT OUT AND ANSWEKS 
EECEIVED. 



■izi 



Names of Correspondents. 



1 Thos. G. Mosley 

2 W. P. Small wood 

3 H. F. Coleman 

4 W. P. Gass 

5 John H. Cole 

6G. W. Boyd 

D. M. Jones 

8 T.J. Little 

9 John S. Claybrooke... 

10 A. B. Cnmmings 

11 J. N. Gnrthrie 

12 Jas. M. Head, M.D... 

13 John B.Baker 

14 F. F. Pierce 

15 M. L.Thomas 

16 R A. Salisbury 

17 Jas. M. Stewart , 

18 John Allev 

19 J. W. Fort 

20 C. C. Bell 

21 W. D. Browder 

22 J. F. Campbell 

23 E. Boyd 

24 W. H.Caldwell 

25 J. D. Goodpasture.... 

26 H. H. Matlock 

27 H. B. Topling 

28 M. A. Hardin 

29 Geo. W. Atchley 

30 E. F. Sharn 

31 A. E. Keid 

32 John Y. Keith 

33 Stephen L. Boss 

34 John .J. Boon 

35 N. B. Cheairs 

36 J. C.Kelso 

37 A. O. Williams 

38 E. S. Bradford 

39 Eobt. C. Nail , 

40 John C. Mosley 

41 Jas. M. Swain 

42 Geo. T. Allman 

43 Geo. F. Hesselmeyer, 

44 Elijah Dougherty.... 

45 Pinckney McCarver. 

46 - - - 



POSTOFPICES. 



Counties. 



C. T. P. Jarnagin iMossy Creek, 



Bellbuckle Bedford. 

Paris Henry. 

New Sedalia Hancock. 

Washington Ehea. 

Waynesboro Wayne. 

Wayne Furnace Wayne. 

Sharon Station Weakley. 

Dresden Weakley. 

Triune Williamson. 

Jonesboro Washington. 

Gallatin Sumner. 

Gallatin ....Sumner. 

Gallatin |Sumner. 

Gallatin ^.... Sumner. 

Sullivan. 
Stewart. 

Dunlap Sequatchie. 

Walnut Valley 'Sequatchie. 

Sadlersville lEobertson. 

Springfield Eobertson. 

Half Moon Island Eoane. 

Mnrfreesboro Eutherford. 

Polk. 

Obion. 

Overton. 

McMinn. 

McNairy. 

Meigs. 

Meigs. 

Meigs. 

Madison. 

Madison. 

Henderson. 

Henderson. 

Maury. 

Lincoln. 

Lawrence. 

Lake. 

Lake. 

Lauderdale. 

Marshall. 

Marshall. 

Claiborne. 

Johnson. 

Jackson. 

Jefferson. 



Benton , 

Eives 

Livingston 

Eiceville 

Purdy 

Decatur 

Decatur 

Ten Miles Stand. 

Denmark 

Jackson 

Lexington 

Jackson 

Spring Hill 

Fayetteville 

Marcella 

Tipton ville 

Tiptonville 

Eipley 

Holt's Corner 

Cornersville 

Tazewell 

Baker's Gap 

Flyn's Lick. 



[182^ 
SCHEDULE OF QUESTIONS— Con^mwed. 



Names of Correspondents. 



POSTOEPICES. 



Counties. 



47 
48 
49 
50 
51 
52 
53 
54 
55 
56 
57 
58 
59 
60 
61 
62 
63 
64 
65 
66 
67 
68 
69 
70 
71 



W. C. Dough tenson 

Hillman Ewin 

Thos. V. Eskridge 

D.P.Williams 

Tom Crutchfield 

T. S. Easley 

Jas. K. Morlv 

J. K. P. Blackburn 

John F. Hauser 

J. T. Trapp 

Louis M. Williams 

Wm. Williams 

E. D. Hicks 

J. S. Lindsay 

Michael Hoover 

John L. Maxey 

T.J. Knox.....' 

Jas. S.Pope 

F. M. Lavender 

G. W. & D. A. Walker, 

Geo. H. Morgan 

M. G. Gholson 

Lorenzo Stratton 

A. S. Snow 

E. M. Betts 



Waverly 

Hurricane Mills.. 

Bold Springs 

Brownsville 

Chattanooga 

Centreville 

Somerville 

Lynnville 

Gruetli 

Smithville 

Henburn 

Edgefield , 

Nashville 

Jacksboro 

Viola 

Celina 

Charleston 

Stephen's Chapel., 

Franklin 

Friendship 

Gainsboro 

Clarksville 

Grassy Cove 

Tazewell 

Claybrook 



Humphreys. 

Humphreys. 

Humphreys. 

Haywood. 

Plamilton. 

Hickman. 

Fayette. 

Giles. 

Grundv. 

DeKalb, 

Dyer. 

Davidson. 

Davidson. 

Campbell. 

Coffee. 

Clay. 

Bradley. 

Bledsoe. 

Williamson.. 

Crockett. 

Jackson. 

Montgomery.. 

Cumberland. 

Claiborne. 

Madison. 



[183] 



QUESTIONS AND ANSWEES. 

What is the estimated number of sheep in your county? 

No answer. 

No answer. 

600. 

600 or over. 

1,000 to 2,000. 

3,500 to 4,000. 

20,000. 

No answer. 

About 8,000. 

2,000. 

1,000. 

20,000. 

No data to go by. 

Don't know. 

2,000 to 2,500. 

Am not advised. 

8,000 to 12,000. 

A good many small flocks^ 

About 2,000 "to 2,500. 

1,000 to 1,500. 

About 20,000. 

A number of small flocks. 

Do n't know. 

4,000. 

7,000. 

No. answer. 

12,000. 

6,000. 

Do not know. 

Do not know. 

About 3,000. 

About 2,500. 

Have no means of knowing. 

Do not know. 

Cannot answer. 

5,000. 



1. 


10,000 or 15,000. 


36. 


2. 


No answer. 


37. 


3. 


Between 5,000 and 7,000. 


38. 


4. 


No answer. 


39. 


5. 


About 3,000. 


40. 


6. 


4,000. 


41. 


7. 


Have no idea, but less in pro- 


42. 




proportion to other stock. 


43. 


8. 


Have no means of ascertaining. 


44. 


9. 


About 15,000. 


45. 


10. 


About 6,000. 


46. 


11. 


10,000 of all breeds and grades. 


47. 


12. 


5,000. 


48. 


13. 


Cannot answer, but suppose 


49. 




about 3,000 or 4,000. 


50. 


14. 


Estimated at 15,000 to 20,000. 


51. 


15. 


No answer. 


52. 


16. 


No answer. 


53. 


17. 


2,500. 


54. 


18. 


1,200. 


55. 


19. 


7,000. 


56. 


20. 


About 10,000. 


57. 


21. 


3,000. 


58. 


22. 


About 8,000. 


59. 


23. 


5,000. 


60. 


24. 


12,000. 


61. 


25. 


15,000. 


62. 


26. 


No answer. 


63. 


27. 


No answer. 


64. 


28. 


5,000. 


65. 


29. 


About 1,000. 


66. 


30. 


About 2,000. 


67. 


31. 


No answer. 


68. 


32. 


15,000. 


69. 


33. 


Not able to answer. 


70. 


34. 


No answer. 


71. 


35. 


20,000. 





What breed of sheep are best adapted to your soil and 
climate ? 



1. Merino, Cotswold, Leicester, 

Southdown, all do well. 

2. No answer. 

3. Cotswold, Southdown. 

4. No answer. 

5. A cross of the Southdown and 

Cotswold. 



6. Cotswold and Southdown. 

7. Southdown, but any wjll be 

healthy. 

8. The only breed in the county is 

scrub. 

9. Southdown and the common 

iiative breeds. 



[184] 



10. 


The old common stock crossed 


44. 


No answer. 




with Cotswold. 




45. 


Southdown, Leicester. 


11. 


Southdowns, good medium 


wool. 


46. 


Native crossed with Cotswold. 




best mutton, long lived. 




47. 


Southdown the hardiest. 


12. 


All breeds thrive and do well. 


48. 


Southdown. 


13. 


Native the hardiest, crcssed with 


49. 


Cotswold and Southdown crossed 




Southdown. 






with natives. 


14. 


Southdown and Cotswold. 
breeds do well. 


A.11 


50. 


Cotswold, Southdown and Me- 
rino. 


15. 


No answer. 




51. 


All the improved breeds do well 


16. 


No answer. 






with proper care. 


17. 


No answer. 




52. 


Southdown and Cotswold. 


18. 


Southdown. 




53. 


No answer. 


19. 


Merino and Soutlidown. 




54. 


All descriptions do well. 


20. 


Southdown. 




55. 


Southdown. 


21. 


Merino. 




56. 


Cotswold and Southdown. 


22. 


No answer. 




57. 


Southdown and Leicester. 


23. 


Common stock. 




58. 


The large breeds not so well as 


24. 


Southdown is considerec 


the 




small. 




best improved breed. 




59. 


Southdowns, and their grades on 


25. 


Leicester crossed with Cots 


wold. 




native sheep. 


26. 


Grade Cotswold. 




60. 


Southdowns are supposed to be 


27. 


All breeds thrive well. 






the best. 


28. 


Southdown. 




61. 


Cotswolds and Southdowns. 


29. 


Cotswold. 




62. 


Not tested. Southdowns and 


30. 


My flock are all Merinos, 
are doing well. 


They 




Cotswold have been intro- 
duced. 


31. 


Ail kinds do well if attended 


63. 


The Kentucky improved, which 




to. 






is a breed between the Merino 


32. 


Cotswold and Southdown. 






and Cotswold. 


33. 


All kinds that have been tried 


64. 


All kinds do well. 




do well. 




65. 


Southdowns and Merino. 


34. 


Cotswold and Southdown. 




66. 


Cotswold and Southdown. 


35. 


Cotswold and Shropshire. 




67. 


Think it good for almost any 


36. 


No answer. 






kind raised. 


37. 


Southdown and Merino. 




68. 


The cross of Southdowns and 


38. 


No answer. 






Cotswolds upon common 


39. 


None but natives in this section. 




sheep. 


40. 


No answer. 




69. 


Sheep of a Spanish origin de- 


41. 


Southdown. 






cidedly. 


42. 


Cotswold and Southdown. 




70. 


Southdown. 


43. 


Southdown. 




71. 


Southdown. 



What are the piincipal breeciij now raised by your farmers? 

and 



1. Native crossed upon Cotswold 

and Southdown. 

2. Cotswold, Southdown and na- 

tive. 

3. Cotswold and Southdown. 

4. No answer. 

5. Three-fourths common or scrub. 

6. Scrub stock. 

7. Native scrub. 

8. Scrub, with few exceptions. 



9. Cotswold, Southdown, 
crosses from them. 

10. Common, Cotswold and South- 

down. 

11. Scrubs and cross breeds. 

12. Southdown, Cotswold and native 

13. All kinds. 

14. Southdowns and Cotswold. 

15. Cotswold, Southdown and Me- 

rino. 



[185] 



16. A cross with native and Cots- 

wold. 

17. Common scrub stock, with few 

improved breeds. 

18. Principally scrubs. 

19. The majority are common bi'eeds 

20. Southdown and Cots wold grades 

21. Scrub, Merino, Cotswold. 

22. Low grade principally. Cots- 

wold bucks used. 

23. No variety. No special interest 

taken in sheep raising. 

24. Common breeds. 

25. Common stock, Leicester and 

Cotswold. 

26. Cotswold and common. 

27. Southdown, Oxford-Down, Cots- 

wold and common. 

28. Scrub, Cotswold, Merino. 

29. Common, Cotswold, Merino. 

30. Native stock. 

31. Southdown, some Cotswold and 

common. 

32. Mostly scrub. A few CotsAvokl 

and Southdown. 

33. Common principally. Some 

Southdown. 

34. Common. 

35. Southdown, Cotswold grades. 

36. Grade sheep. 

37. Native, Southdown, and Cots- 

38. Mostly native sheep. 

39. Native. 

40. Common sheep. 

41. Southdown are becoming the 

principal sheep. 

42. CotsvY^old and Southdown. A 

few Merinos. 

43. Old stock. 



44. Old native or mountain stock. 

45. Southdown, Leicester and com- 

mon. 

46. Native. Some improved breeds. 

47. Common scrub. 

48. Southdown and Cotswold. 

49. The majority old stock. 

50. Common, Cotswold and South- 

down. 

51. Native. Some improved breeds. 

52. Rocky mountain, or scrub. 

53. But little attention paid to this 

industry. 

54. Southdown, Cotswold, Merino, 

scrub. 

55. Cross with the Merino and na- 

tive sheep. 

56. A mixture of all breeds. 

57. Scrubs, being crossed with im- 

proved breeds. 

58. Natives and improved. 

59. Scrubs. 

60. A majority scrubs, some im- 

proved breeds. 

61. Cotswold and Southdown. 

62. Common mountain sheep. 

63. Common crossed with Cotswold. 

64. Native and Merino, some Cots- 
Avold and Southdown. 

65. Cotswold, Southdown and native 

66. Cotswold and Southdown. 

67. Mostly scrubs ; a few Cotswold 

and Southdowns. 

68. Cotswold and Southdowns, 

crossed on common sheep. 

69. Mostly natives, with a few 

Spanish and Southdowns. 

70. Scrubs and Southdowns. 

71. Scrub. 



What nimiher are sold out of" the county, and in what 
market? 



1. About 6,000. Atlanta and Louis- 

ville mostly. 

2. No answer. 

3. 2,000 to 2,500. 

4. No answer. 

5. About 500 to Memphis. 

6. 1,500 to 2,000. 

7. Very few to New Orleans. 

8. Do not know. 

9. About 5,000 to Nashville ; lambs 

to Cincinnati and New York. 
10. About 3,000 to eastern markets. 



11. 2,000 old sheep to Nashville, 

Louisville and Cincinnati. 

12. 1,000 monthly to Nashville and 

Louisville. 

13. A good many to Louisville and 

northern markets. 

14. About 1,500 sent to Nashville 

and northern markets. 

15. 2.000 to 3,000 to eastern markets. 

16. None. 

17. 500 to go South, Atlanta, Ga. 

18. 500 to Atlanta. 



[186] 



19. About 10 per cent, of the num- 

ber sold to Nashville. 

20. About 2,000 to Nashville. 

21. Comparatively none. 

22. No answer. 

23. From 5,000 to 7,000, to Atlanta 

and Augusta. 

24. No answer. 

25. About 2,500, mostly to Kentucky 

26. Very few shipped out of the 

county. 

27. 3,000, to Memphis, Jackson, 

Mobile. 

28. 300 to Atlanta. 

29. Very few, to go North. 

30. Very few, to Atlanta. 

31. Home market ; Jackson 200, 

Memphis 300 to 400. 

32. About 4,000 to Memphis in 1876 

33. Not able to give a correct an- 

swer. 

34. Very few. 

35. No answer. 

36. Three-fourths, to go North. 

37. No answer. 

38. A few sold for Memphis. 

39. A few sold for Memphis. 

40. None. 

41. Two-thirds of the crop to Nash- 

ville. 

42. 10,000 full bloods sold South; 

grade lambs to the butchers. 

43. 2,000 to Kentucky. 

44. 1,000 to Baltimore. 

45. 2,000 to Nashville and Kentucky 



46. Not many ; a few to go East. 

47. About one-fourth to Memphis. 

48. Don't know; Memphis princi- 

pal market. 

49. Do not know ; a good many 

sold to Memphis. 

50. None sold out of the county. 

51. Don't know; some sold to go 

South. 

52. 500 to 1,000 to traders and 

feeders. 

53. No answer. 

54. A few to Memphis and Nash- 

ville. 

55. None. 

56. 1,000 per annum. 

57. None of consequence. 

58. Do not know. 

59. No answer. 

60. From 1,000 to 2,000 to Ken- 
tucky. 

61. 1,000 to 2,000 to Nashville and 

Louisville. 

62. Do n't know ; those sold go to 

Louisville. 

63. 3,000 to go South. 

64. 500 to Chattanooga. 

65. 2,000 to Nashville for shipment, 
i 66. 200 ; various markets. 

67. 300 or 400. 

68. Do not know, not many. 

69. Some for northern markets and 

some for southern. 

70. Some to Kentucky. 

71. Jackson is our market. 



What is the average price obtained for them ? 



1. Average price $2.50. 


18. 


3c per lb. 


2. No answer. 




19. 


$3.50 to $4.00. 


3. For two years p 


xst l|c per lb. 


20. 


$3.00. 


4. No answer. 




21. 


No answer. 


5. About $3.00 per 


head. 


22. 


$2.50 to $3.00. 


6. $1.50. 




23. 


$2.50. 


7. $1.50 to $2.00. 




24. 


$2.00. 


8. $1.50. 




25. 


$1.50. 


9. $2.50. 




26. 


$5.50 for common, $6.00 to 


10. $1.25. 






$10.00 for grade Cotswold. 


11. $3.50. 




27. 


$2.00. 


12. $5.00. 




28. 


.$2.00. 


13. $3.00. 




29. 


No answer. 


14. 4c to 4Jc per lb. 




30. 


$1.50 to $2.00. 


15. $1.50 to $2.00. 




31. 


Spring lambs $2.50 ; one to two 


16. Native. $2.00. 






years old $3.50. 


17. 3c to SiJc per lb. 




32. 


$3.50. 



[187] 



33. $1.50 to 2.00. 

34. $2.25 to $3.00. 

35. $2.00 to $5.00. 

36. 2k per lb. 
.37. $3.00. 

38. $3.00. 

39. $3.00. 

40. No answer. 
41 Sb'^ 50 

42*. Full blooded Cotswold $15.00; 
Southdown $5.00 to $10.00. 

43. $1.12 J. 

44. $1.50. 

45. $1.00 to $2.00. 

46. $2.50. 

47. $2.00. 

48. $2.50 to $3.00. 

49. $1.50 to $1.75. 

50. None sold. 

51. $2.50 to $5.00. 

52. $1.50 to $2.00. 



53. $3.00 for grades, $2.00 for com- 

mon. 

54. $2.00 common, $3.00 for grades. 

55. $2.00 to $5.00. 

56. $2.00 to $5.00, according to 

breeds. 

57. No answer. 

58. $3.00. 

59. No answer. 

60. $2.00. 

61. $3.00. 

62. $1.25 to $2.00. 

63. $1.50. 

64. $3.00. 

65. $2.50. 

66. $2.00. 

67. $2.00. 

68. $2.50. 

69. $1.25 to $2.00. 

70. $1.25 to $1.75. 

71. $2.00. 



Are lambs sold, and to what extent? 



1. One-half are sold. 

2. None. 

3. Yes. Lambs are sold with the 

sheep, say 500 per year. 

4. None. 

5. Lambs are not sold to any ex- 

tent. 

6. None sold, no market. 

7. Very few. 

8. None. 

9. About one-half of the male 

lambs are sold. 

10. But few sold. 

11. 5,000 sold to Louisville, Cincin- 

nati and New York. 

12. 1,000 or more annually. 

13. A great many, 2,000 to 3,000. 

14. About 800. 

15. Some. Not to any great extent. 

16. Not many. 

17. None sold. 

18. About half the product. 

19. Only for breeding and home 

consumption. 

20. Very few. 
21^ None. 

22. No answer. 

23. None. 

24. None. 

25. None sold. 

26. None sold. 



27. More extensively than sheep. 

28. None sold. 

29. None that I know of out of the 

county. 

30. $1.50 to $3.50. 

31. 3,000 or 4,000 for home con- 

sumption. 

32. About the half of the product. 

33. Not many. 

34. Very few. 

35. All the early buck lambs at 

$3.00. 

36. Thirty per cent, are sold. 

37. No answer. 

38. None. 

39. None. 

40. None. 

41. Most of the early at $3.00. 

42. Two- thirds are sold. 

43. Yes. 

44. Very few. 

45. A few for breeding. 

46. None to butchers, some for 

breeding. 

47. About fifteen per cent. 

48. A few, 

49. Most of the lambs are sold in 
I June. 

50. About 400 or 500 annually. 

51. A few for breeding. 
I 52. A limited number. 



[188] 



53. No answer. 

54. A few for breeding purposes. 

55. None sold. 

56. Yes, largely. 

57. None. 

58. Yes. Do not know to what ex- 

tent. 

59. Yes, probably 5,000, at $3.00. 

60. None. 

61. Yes, 400 to 500. 



62. Very few. 

63. Very few. 
.64. None. 

65. Yes, to the full extent. 

66. No lambs sold. 

67. No, except a few at home. 

68. Do not know. 

69. No lambs sold. 

70. About one-fourth sold. 

71. About two-thirds. 



What attention is }3aid to the improvement of breeds? 



1. A marked improvement. 
2..||.Considerable attention is paid. 

3. Very little for the last five years. 

4. This interest is totally neglected 

in this county, though the fin- 
est in the State for sheep rais- 
ing. 

5. There has not been much atten- 

tion given. 

6. Very little. 

7. Very little. 

8. None of an)^ consequence. 

9. A great deal of attention of late 

years. 

10. Very little. 

11. All farmers are making an effort 

to improve. 

12. Great attention is now being 

made to improve. 

13. In some sections a good deal, 

others not. 

14. Considerable. The business in- 

creasing rapidly. 

15. There is getting to be a good 

deal of excitement. 

16. None. 

17. Scarcelv any at all. 

18. Very little. 

19. Considerable. Improved breeds 

are being introduced. 

20. Very little. 

21. Very little. 

22. More than formerly. Improved 

breeds are being introduced. 

23. None. 

24. Very little. 

25. Considerable the last five years. 

26. Considerable interest is being 

manifested. 

27. The desire to improve is rapidly 

increasing. 

28. There is a spirit of improvement 

manifested. 



29. Very little. 

30. Almost none. 

31. For the last three years consid- 

erable going on. 

32. Quite a number of farmers are 

buying improved breeds. 

33. Very little except with a few 
I farmers. 

34. Just beginning to improve. 

35. Flocks generally are being im- 

proved. 

36. A good deal. 

37. Some interest manifested to im- 

prove breeds. 

38. Comparatively little. 

39. Very little. 

40. None. 

41. Good. 

42. Improved breeds are being in- 

troduced. 

43. Not much. 

44. Not much. 

45. But very little. 

46. Some attention is being paid. 

47. Good for the last year or so. 

48. More interest is being mani- 

fested. 

49. A good deal more than formerly. 

50. Not a great deal. 

51. Very little. The interest checked 

by the dog law. 

52. Very little till of late years. 

53. Some little by a few. 

54. A few farmers are giving their 

attention to it. 

55. Very little. 

56. Very much. 

57. Some few are making an effort. 

58. A great deal. 

59. Occasionally an enterprising 

farmer buys a good buck. 

60. Not much. 



[189] 



61. There is a great spirit for im- 

provement. 

62. Of late there is some interest 

manifested. 
63; There seems to be considerable. 

64. Very little. 

65. Generally very little. 

66. But very little. 



67. Very little if any. 

68. Quite ordinary with a few ex- 

ceptions. 

69. Very little. 

70. Sonie are selling off old stock 

and introducing new. 

71. Not much. 



"What breeds are preferred ? 



1. Cotswold. 

2. Cotswold and Southdown. 

3. Cotswold and Southdown. 

4. No answer. 

5. Cotswold and Southdown. 

6. Cotswold. 

7. Cotswold and Southdown. 

8. No answer. 
Q Cotswold and Southdown. 

Old stock crossed with Cotswold. 

Southdown. 

Southdown and Cotswold. 

Southdown. 

Southdown and Cotswold. 

Cotswold. 

No choice. 

Southdown. 

Southdown. 

Merino, Cotswold and South- 



10. 
11. 
12. 
13. 

14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 

18. 
19. 

down. 

20. Cotswold. 

21. Cotswold and Merino. 

22. Formerly Cotswold, now South- 

down. 

23. No answer. 

24. Southdown. 

25. Leicester and Cotswold. 

26. Cotswold. 

27. Southdown and Cotswold. 

28. Southdown, Cotswold, Merino. 

29. Cotswold. 

30. Merino by me. 

31. Cotswold and Southdown. 

32. Cotswold. 

33. Southdown. 

34. Cotswold and Southdown. 

35. Southdown and Cotswold. 

36. Southdown and Cotswold. 

37. No answer. 



38. Southdown and Cotswold. 

39. Southdown and Cotswold. 

40. No preference. 

41. Southdown and Merino. 

42. Southdown. 

43. Southdown. 

44. There is a difference of opinion 

which is best. 

45. Southdown and Cotswold. 

46. Cotswold and Southdown. 

47. Cotswold. 

48. Cotswold, Leicester, Southdown. 

49. Cotswold and Southdown. 

50. Cotswold and Southdown. 

51. Cotswold. 

52. Cotswold and Southdown. 

53. Cotswold and Southdown. 

54. Merino and Cotswold. 

55. Southdown and Merino. 

56. Cotswold, Southdown and Lei- 

cester. 

57. No answer. 

58. Southdown and Cotswold. 

59. Southdown. 

60. Southdown and Cotswold. 

61. Cotswold and Southdown. 

62. So far with us only an experi- 

ment. 

63. Southdown. 

64. Cotswold and Southdown. 

65. Cotswold and Southdown. 

66. Cotswold, Southdown and Lin- 

colnshire. 

67. So little attention is paid to the 

matter can't say. 

68. Cotswold. 

69. People are not generally posted. 

70. Cotswold and Southdown. 

71. Cotswold and Southdown. 



[190] 



What do you estimate the annual cost of raising sheep 
per head to be? 



1. $1.50. 




36. $1.00. 


2. 50c. 




37. No answer. 


3. $1.25, $1.50. 




38. Very little. 


4. No answer. 




39. Have never made an estimate. 


5. 75c. 




40. Don't know. 


6. 50c. 




41. 40c. 


7. $1.00. 




42. 75c. 


8. Do not know. 




43. No answer. 


9. Nevei- made an estimate of the 


44. 60c. 


cost. 




45. The cost is very little when they 


10. $1.00. 




have a good range. 


11. $1.00. 




46. 50c. 


12. $2.00. 




47. 75c. 


13. $1.25. 




48. Have never made an estimate. 


14. $1.25. 




49. Don't know, not much. 


15. $1.50. 




50. 50c. 


16. 80c to 90c. 




51. Cannot tell; natives generally 


17. Do not know. 




take care of themselves. 


18. $1.00. 




52. 50c, aiicording to the old plan of 


19. 50c the maximum. 




letting them run. 


20. No answer. 




53. No answer. 


21. $2.00. 




54. About $1.50. 


22. $1.00. 




55. About 75c. 


23. $1.00. 




56. About $1.00. 


24. No answer. 




57. No answer. 


25. 50c. 




58. About 25c to 50c. 


26. $1.50. 




59. $1.00. 


27. 33Ac. 




60. $1.25. 


28. $1.00. 




61. $1.00 on dry food. 


29. About what they are worth when 


62. No answer. 


raised. 




63. 50c. 


30. Either the lamb 


or wool will 


64. $1.50. 


pay the cost. 




65. 50c. 


31. 75c. 




66. $1.00. 


32. 75c. 




67. 50c. 


33. 60c to 75c. 




68. $1.25. 


34. Very little. Can be grazed till 


69. From 30c to 60c. 


the snow covers 


the ground. 


70. No answer. 


35. $1.50. 




71. 50c. 



What description of feed is generally used, and what par- 
ticular method employed in feeding? 



1. Grass only; a little corn and 

hay in snow. 

2. No answer. 

3. Hay, fodder and corn. No par- 

ticular method. 

4. No answer. 

5. In winter corn and hay mostly. 



6. They run on the vacant land. 

Little care taken with them. 

7. Corn and fodder. 

8. Anything that is fed to other 

stock. 

9. Grass, fodder and hay, very little 

corn. 



[191] 



10. Grain and hay. 

11. No feed except in rough weather, 

then corn and hay. 

12. Corn, hay and fodder. 

13. Grass and corn. 

14. Eye and grass, a little corn at 

lambing time. 

15. Hay and fodder. 

16. Bun in the woods. 

17. Corn and fodder. 

18. Corn, fodder and hay. 

19. Grazed on clover till December, 

then on wheat, fodder and 
hay in bad weather. 

20. Sheep run on wheat in fall and 

winter, clover in suDimer. 

21. No particular feed or method. 

22. Not much feeding done. Some 

feed cotton seed to save hay 
and corn. 

23. Fodder, corn and hay. 

24. Pasture in summer, oats and 

hay in winter. 

25. Corn fodder when fed at all ; 

Fed but little. 

26. Corn, fodder and hay. Clover 

hay and corn the best. 

27. Cotton seed, corn and oats. No 

particular method. 

28. Corn and fodder ; turnips are ex- 

cellent. 

29. Woods pasture. Let the sheep 

take care of themselves. 

30. No particular feed or method. 

31. Oats, peas, cotton seed and fod- 

der in winter. 

32. Corn, cotton seed and hay. No 

method. 

33. Corn, peas, cotton seed with hay 

and oats. 

34. No answer. 

35. Pasture mostly, shelled oats and 

corn in winter to thorough- 
breds. 

36. Grass. 

37. No answer. 

38. Some feed on rye ; mostly run in 

the woods. 

39. Some winter on rye, others let 

run in the woods. 

40. No answer. 

41. Corn meal, blue-grass, rye, 

meadow hay, etc. 



42. 

43. 
44. 



No answer. 

Oats and fodder. 

Very little attention paid to 
feeding; numbers live on the 
hills. 

None fed. 

Such food as they can glean. 
No method. 

Hay and corn fodder fed on the 
ground. 

Corn and pea hay. The latter 
is as fine as can be had. We 
feed on clover and chopped 
food. 

Corn and oats. Not much sys- 
tem about feeding. 

Cotton seed and a little hay and 
fodder and turnips, raw. 

But little feed is given; in bad 
weather hay and straw. 

The old plan was to let run at 
large ten months in the year, 
but we are improving on 
that. 

No answer. 

Corn and cotton seed with hay 
in winter. 

Grazing in summer ; hay in win- 
ter. 

Oats, bran or meal. 

Hay and cotton seed and wheat 
grazing. 

Summer, pasture ; winter, hay 
and a little corn. 

Grass and browsing; hay when 
there is snow. 

Corn, fodder, hay and oats. 

Corn and hay. 

Corn, fodder and hay. No sys- 
tem employed. 

Grass and hay. 

Corn, fodder and hay. 

Not much if any but grass and 
weeds, some corn fodder. 

Cotton seed with fodder. No 
particular m.ethod. 

Corn and fodder. 

Corn, hay, sorghum seed, oats. 

Tliev run at large on the plains. 

Fodder, wheat and bran. 

Cotton seed and corn and fodder. 



[192] 



What is the average price obtained for unwashed wool? 

(These answers were given in 1878 when wool was low.) 



1. 


20c per pound. 


35. 


No answer. 


2. 


35c per pound. 


36. 


20c per pound. 


3. 


Very little shipped. Home 


37. 


About 22c per pound. 




price 25c to 40c. 


38. 


15c to '10c per pound. 


4. 


No answer. 


39. 


15c to 20c " " 


5. 


Do not think that there is any 


40. 


None sold. 




unwashed wool sold. 


41. 


18c to 20c per pound. 


6. 


No answer. 


42. 


23c to 25c " " 


7. 


None sold. Eolls 40c to 65c. 


43. 


20c per pound. 


8. 


No answer. 


44. 


33-Jc " 


9. 


25c per pound. 


45. 


20c to 22c per pound. 


10. 


20c " 


46. 


20c to 25c " " 


11. 


20c to 25c for Southdown and 


47. 


None sold. 




Cotswold, 18c for scrub. 


48. 


20c per pound. 


12. 


30c per pound. 


49. 


20o " 


13. 


18c to 30c, according to quality. 


50. 


20c " 


14. 


Don't know. Last season nearly 


51. 


I have sold mine from 33c to 75c 




all sold at 25c to 28c. 




for ten years past. 


15. 


35c ner pound. 


52. 


20c to 25c per pound. 


16. 


30c ^ " 


53. 


No answer. 


17. 


30c to 40c per pound. 


54. 


25c per pound. 


18. 


25c per pound. 


55. 


About 40c per pound. 


19. 


25c " 


56. 


30c to 40c " 


20. 


20c " 


57. 


20c per pound. 


21. 


25c " 


58. 


20c to 45c per pound. 


22. 


25c " 


59. 


20c per pound. 


23. 


40c " 


60. 


20c to 25c per pound. 


24. 


20c to 30c, owing to burs. 


61. 


25c per pound. 


25. 


30c per pound. 


62. 


No answer. 


26. 


15c to 25c for common. 


63. 


25c per pound. 


27. 


None sold. 


64. 


None sold. 


28. 


35c to 40c per pound. 


65. 


About 25c per pound. 


29. 


30c, I believe. 


66. 


18c to 20c " " 


30. 


30c the market, almost all wool 


67. 


25c per pound. 




used at home. 


68. 


30c " 


31. 


30c per pound. 


69. 


25c to 30c per pound. 


32. 


About 18c per pound. 


70. 


30c per pound. 


33. 


35c to 40c when free fi-om burs. 


71. 


No answer. 


34. 


No answer. 







What is the average yield of unwashed wool per sheep? 



1. 


Native 2 to 4 
8 pounds. 


pounds, 


Cotswold 


9. 


4 pounds on common, Cotswold 
more. 


2. 


5 pounds. 






10. 


About 3 pounds. 


3. 


4 






11. 


6 to 8 pounds from Southdowns 


4. 


No answer. 








and Cotswolds; 5 pounds Span- 


5. 


3 pounds. 








ish Merino; 3 pounds scrub. 


6. 


About 22 pounds. 




12. 


4 pounds. 


7. 


3 to 4 pounds. 






13. 


3 " 


8. 


.No answer. 






14. 


4 



1_193] 



15. 

16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 
23. 
24. 
25. 
26. 

27. 

28. 

29. 
30. 



31. 

32. 
33. 

34. 
35. 
36. 
37. 
38. 
39. 
40. 
41. 
42. 
43. 
44. 
45. 



Owing to the kind of sheep. 
3^ pounds. 
About 3 pounds. 
About 3 " 

7 to 10 " 
About 5 pounds. 
About 3 " 
About Si to 4 pounds. 
About 5 pounds. 

No answer. 

About 3 pounds common. 

2^ pounds for scrub ; 6 to 12 

pounds for Cotswold. 
4 pounds. 

3 pounds for scrub; Cotswold 
and Southdown 5 pounds. 

About 4 pounds. 

Native 1 to 3 pounds; Merinos 
3 to 12 pounds; grade Cots- 
wold 3 to 7. 

Common 3 pounds ; blooded 5 to 
7 pounds. 

8 pounds for blooded sheep. 
Best flocks of common 4 pounds ; 

improved breeds 6 to 8 pounds. 
No answer. 

4 pounds. 
3 J pounds. 
No answer. 
3 pounds. 
3 

No answer. 

8 pounds for improved breeds. 

Cotswold average 8 to 10 pounds 

2 to 3 pounds. 

2^ to 3 " 

From 1 to 3 pounds. 



00. 

56. 

57. 
58. 

59. 
60. 
61. 
62. 

63. 
64. 
65. 
66. 



5 to 8 pounds from improved 

breeds. 
Si pounds. 
3^ to 4 pounds. 
About 4 or 5 pounds. 
2 to 2-2 pounds. 
Native 2]- pounds; Cotswold 

average nearly 9 pounds. 
2 to 4 pounds common ; 8 to 12 

pounds improved breeds. 
No answer. 
Cotswold 12 pounds ; Southdown 

5 pounds; Merino 8 pounds* 

scrub 2 pounds. 
From 2 to 3 pounds. 
Improved breeds 5 to 7 pounds. 
5 pounds improved breeds. 
2 to 8 pounds, according tO' 

breeds. 
Average yield 21 pounds. 
2i pounds. 
4 pounds. 
1 A to 2 pounds common ; 4 to 8 

pounds improved breeds. 
About 3 pounds. 

4 pounds. ^ 
2 to 2J pounds. 

Scrub 3 pounds; Southdown 6 
pounds; Cotswold 11 pounds;. 
Lincolnshire 12 pounds. 

2i pounds. 

5 " 

Natives 2} pounds; Cotswold 7 

pounds. 
Scrub 3 pounds; Southdown 5 

pounds. 
, 4 to 6 pounds. 



What is the clear income on wool to the sheep? 



1. None on native sheep. 

2. No answer. 

3. 65c to 80c. 

4. No answer. 

5. About 75c. 

6. No answer. 

7. About 11.00. 

8. No answer. 

9. Have never made an estimate. 

10. No answer. 

11. From 10c to 60c, according to 

breed. 

12. Nothing. 

13. Not much. If it were not for 

the lambs there would not be 
many sheep raised. 
13 



14. No answer. 

15. No answer. 

16. No answer. 

17. Cannot say. 

18. No answer. 

19. $1.25 per head. 

20. No answer. 

2 L. That depends upon the manner* 
thev are cared for. 

22. 70c to" SOc. 

23. $1 25 under good management. 

24. No answer. 

25. On common stock none. 

26. 17ic on scrub. 

27. 20c. 

28. 7\.bout 15c. 



[194] 



29. Loses half in waishing. 
50. No answer 

31. 60c on common, $1.25 on 
proved breeds. 

52. No answer. 

53. Not able to answer. 

54. No answer. 
35. No answer. 
56. IVic. 

37. No answer. 

38. 60c to 75c. 

39. 60c to 75c. 

40. Do not know. 

41. 80c. 

42. No answer. 

43. 50c to 60c. 

44. 40c. 

45. No answer. 

46. What you 

wool. 

47. About 25c. 

48. Do not know. 

49. Do not know. 

50. 25c. or 30c. 



realize from the 



51. Can only answer for myself, 

Cotswold averas;ed 9 lbs. last 
year. 

52. Very little on common sheep. 

53. No answer. 

54. Do not know. 

55. From 80c to $1.00 on improved 

breeds. 

56. From $1.00 to $2 00 on fine sheep 

57. 50c per head. 

58. No answer. 

59. About 30c. 

60. No answer. 

61. No answer. 

62. No answer. 

63. 50c. 

64. Nothing. 

65. From 60c to 62^0. 

66. No answer. 

67. About $1.00. 

68. $1.00. 

69. It depends upon the breed. 

70. No answer. 

71. No answer. 



What is the average price for Jatn'os to the butcher? 



1. $2.40 per head. 




27. $2.00. 


2. No answer. 




28. None sold. 


3. None sold to butchers. 




29. From $1.00 to $2.00. 


4. No answer. 




30. No answer. 


5. $1.50 per head. 




31. $3.00 in early spring 


6. No answer. 




32. $2.00. 


7. No answer. 




33. $1.00. 


8. No answer. 




34. $2.00 to $2.25. 


9. About $2.00 ; the past two 


years 


35. $3.00. 


$2.50. 




36. $2.00. 


10. None sold. 




37. No answer. 


11. $3.50 to $4.00. 




38. None sold. 


12. $3 00. 




39. None sold. 


13. $3.00. 




40. No answer. 


14. $3.00 to $4.00 per head. 


The 


41. $2.50. 


money made is on the lambs. 


42. $3.00. 


15. $2.00 to $3.00. 




43. No answer. 


16. No answer. 




44. None sold. 


17. None sold. 




45. $1.00 to $1.50. 


18. $3.00. 




46. None sold. 


19. $2.00. Very few sold to bu 


tchers 


47. About $1.50. 


20. No answer. 




48. $2.50. 


21. None sold. 




49. $1.25. 


22. $2.50. 




50. $1.50 to $2.00. 


23. $1.50 to $2.00. 




51. None sold. 


24. No answer. 




52. $1.25 to $2.00. 


25. None sold. 




53. No answer. 


26. None sold. 




54. $2.00. 



[195] 



55. 


JSTone m]d. 


I 64. 


None sold. 


56. 


About $2.00. 


j 65. 


$2.50 for 60 lb. lambs 


o7. 


None sold. 


'66. 


No sale of lambs. 


58. 


$2.50 to $3.50. 


i 67. 


$1.00. 


59. 


$3.00. 


;68. 


$2.50. 


60. 


None sold to the butcher. 


' 69. 


None sold to butchers 


.61. 


No answer. 


70. 


None sold. 


62. 


No answer. 


71. 


$1.50. 


63. 


$1.25. 







What is the average price for stock sheep? 



1. No ansAver. 

2. $1.75 to $2.00 per head. 

3. Ewes $2.00 to $2.50; bucks 

$4.00 to $5.00. 

4. No answer. 

5. From $1.00 to $2.00. 

6. $1.50. 

7. $1.50; select breeders $5.00 to 

$15.00. 

8. No answer. 

9. About $3.00 for two years past ; 

$2.00 heretofore. 

10. About $1.50. 

11. $2.00 for common, $8.00 to 

$10.00 for breeding. 

12. $2.00. 

13. After shearing $2.50. 

14. $2.50. 

15. $5.00 to $10.00 for breeders. 

16. $1.25. 

17. $1.00 to $1.50. 

18. $1. 25. 

19. $4.00 to $5.00 for improved 

breeds. 

20. Very few sold. 

21. $1.50. 

■22. $10.00 for improved breeds. 
33. $1.50 to $2.00. 

24. $1.50 to $2.00. 

25. Fine bucks and ewes $5.00 to 

$10.00. 

m. $1.50. 

27. $1.50 

.28. Scrubs $1.00; blooded $5.00 to 
$50.00. 

29. $1.00. 

30. $1 00 to $1.50. 

■31. $1.50. Fancy prices for im- 
ported. 

32. $2.50. 

33. $1.25 to $1.50. 
•34. $1 50 to $2.00. 



35. $2.50. 

36. $2.00, grade $5.00. 

37 $1.50, Southdown $10 00, Cots- 
wold $15.00 to $25.00. 

38. $1.50 to $2.00. 

39. $1.50 to $2.00. 

40. $2.00. 

41. $4.00 for grade. 

42. $10.00 for full blood Southdown, 

$15.00 for Cotswold. 

43. .$2.00. 

44. $1.50. 

45. $1.25 to $1.50. 

46. $1.50 to $2.00. 

47. $1.75. 

48. $1.50. 

49. $2.00. 

50. $2.00 to $5.00, according t® 

breed. 

51. $1.25 to $2.50 for wethers. 

52. $1.50 to $2.00. 

53. No answer. 

54. $1.00 to $1.50. 

55. .$1.50 to $2.00. 

56. Best breeds $5.00 to $7.00. 

57. $2.00, 

58. Common $1.25 to $2.00, blooded 

$15.00 to $25.00. 

59. $2.00. 

60. $1.50 to $5.00, according to 

breed. 

61. $10.00 for blooded. 

62. $1.50. 

63. $1.50. 

64. $1.50. 

65. $1.50. 

66. $1.75. 

67. $1 50. 

68. $2.50. 

69. $1.00 to $1.50. 

70. $1.25 to $2.00. 

71. No answer. 



[1961 



What is the average price for mutton per head? 



1. 3c per lb. 


37. 


No answer. 




2. No answer. 


38. 


$2.50 to $3.00. 




3. $2.00 to $2.50. 


39. 


$2.50 to $3.00. 




4. See remarks. 


40. 


$2.00. 




5. $2.00. 


41. 


$2.25. 




6. $1.75 to $2.00. 


42. 


$5.00. 




7. $1.00 to $3.00. 


43. 


$2.00. 




8. $1 50. See remarks. 


44. 


$2.00 to $2.50. 




9. $3.00. 


45. 


$1.00 to $2.00. 




10. $1.75. 


46. 


5c per lb. 




11. $3.00 to $4.00. 


47. 


$2.00. 




12. $5.00. 


48. 


$3.50. 




13. $4.00 with the wool on. 


49. 


$1 50 to $1.75. 




14. $4.00. 


50. 


$2.25. 




15. It varies according to the quality 


51. 


$2.50 to $5.00. 




from $2.00 up. 


52. 


$1.50 to $2.50. 




16. $4.00 to $5.00. 


53. 


See remarks. 




17. 3e to 3vlc per lb. 


54. 


$3.00 to $5.00 




18. $2.00. " 


55. 


$2.00 to $2.50. 




19. $3.50 to $4.00. 


56. 


$3.00. 




20. $3.00. 


57. 


$2.50. 




21. $2.00. 


58. 


$3.00 to $4.00. 




22. $2.50 to $3.00. 


59. 


$2.50. 




23. $2.50. 


60. 


$2.50. 




24. $2.00 to $2.50. 


61. 


$3.00 for good wethers- 


that will 


25. None sold. 




weigh 70 lbs. 




26. No answer. 


62. 


No answer. 




27. $2.00. 


63. 


$2.00. 




28. $2.00. 


64. 


$2 00. 




29. $2.00. 


65. 


$2.25 to $4.00. 




30. 3c per lb. gross. 


66. 


$2.25. 




31. $3.00. 


67. 


$1.75. 




32. $3.00. 


68. 


5c per lb. 




33. $2.00 to $2.25. 


69. 


$2.00 to $3.00. 




34. No answer. 


70. 


No answer. 




35. $3.00. 


71. 


$2.00. 




36. No answer. 









Have you a home market for your wool? If not, what 
is your nearest market? 



1. Sold here but consumed out of 

the county. 

2. No answer. 

3. All consumed at home. 

4. See remarks. 

5. None at home, send to Hum- 

phreys county. 

6. The most is used at home. 

7. Yes. 

8. Entirely used at home. 

9. Sent to Franklin or Nashville. 
10. Consumed at home. 



11 



Some sent to Kentucky and the 
North. 

12. Sold to agents of manufactories. 

13. Generally sold at home. 

14. Send the most of it to Bowling- 

green, Ky. 

15. Have a tolerably good market 

at home. 

16. Yes. 

17. We have a home market. 

18. Sell to the factory at McMinn- 

ville. 



[197 



19. Two fine mills on E.ed river, 

near State line. 

20. Exchange our wool with fac- 

tories on Ked river. 

21. No home market. 

22. Home market. 

23. Home market. 

24. We can sell at home or sell at 

Mayfield factories. 

25. No home market, Nashville the 

nearest. 

26. Knoxville our ma-rket. 

27. Exchange with mills at Hum- 

phreys county for goods. 

28. Consumed at home. 

29. Sell at Knoxville. 

30. Our markets are North and 

East. 

31. Sell to go out of the county ; no 

factories. 

32. But little sold at home. Ship to 

St. Louis. 

33. No home market, sell to Hum- 

boldt and Hurricane Mills. 

34. None. 

35. Home market. 

36. No home market. 

37. Home market. 

38. No home market; Cincinnati 

and St. Louis. 

39. No home market; St. Louis 

and Cincinnati. 

40. None sold. 

41. Home market for one-third. 

42. Can sell at home or to fac- 

tories. 

43. Yes. Knoxville. 



44. The factories at Elizabeth buy 

our wool at 50c per lb. 

45. We have. 

46. No home market. 

47. We have a home market. 

48. Most consumed at home. 

49. We have a home market. 

50. We have none; ship to different 

places. 

51. No home market. I ship to 

Boston, Mass. 

52. None. Hurricane Mills the 

nearest market. 

53. No answer. 

54. Some little home demand. 

Louisville and Philadelphia. 

55. Not enough raised for home con- 

sumption. 

56. We have the factories at home 

and McMinnville. 

57. Humboldt factory the nearest. 

Shi-p to St. Louis. 

58. Nashville our market. 

59. Yes, we have a home market. 

60. The most of our wool is sold in 

Knoxville. 

61. Good homie niarket. 

62. Not wool enough for home use. 

63. We have. 

64. We have no home market. 

65. No. Nashville. 

66. Have no home market. 

67. Home market for all we make. 

68. Home market. Clarksville. 

69. Most merchants buy wool. 

70. Knoxville. 

71. None raised for market. 



Are there any woolen factories in your county. If yes, 
how many and where located ? 



1. 


None. 


12. 


2. 


One, in the northern part of the 






county. 


13. 


o. 


None. 




4. 


No answer. 


14. 


5. 


None. 




6. 


None. 


15. 


7. 


None but carding factories. 




8. 


None. 


16. 


9. 


Do not know. 


17. 


10. 


None. 


18. 


11. 


Two, one in Gallatin and one 


19. 




five miles from it. 


20. 



Two, one in Gallatin and one 

at Desha's creek. 
Two, one in Gallatin and one at 

Desha's creek. 
Two, one in Gallatin and one at 

Desha's creek. 
Four, two at Bristol, two at 

Elizabethtown. 
None. 
None. 
None. 

None known to us. 
None. 



[198] 



21. None. 

22. None, three or four carding fac- 

tories. 

23. None. 

24. One. 

25. None. 

26. One on Eastamantor creek. 

27. None. 

28. None. 

29. None, carding mills onlv. 

30. None. 

31. None in Madison. 

32. None. 

33. None. 

34. None. 

35. None. 

36. One in Fayetteville. 

37. One at Marcella Falls. 

38. None. 

39. None. 

40. None. 

41. None. 

42. None, some carding factories. 

43. One near or at Morristown. 

44. None. 

45. None. 

46. None, some carding machines. 

47. One at Big Hurricane creek. 



48. Ours is all we know of. 

49. One at Hurricane creek. 

50. None. 

51. None. 

52. None, some carding machines. 

53. No answer. 

54. None, one near the line in Flor- 

ence. 

55. None. 

56. One at Dowelltown. 

57. None. 

58. None. 

59. None that I know of. 

60. None. 

61. One at Tullahoma. 

62. None, some carding machines, 

63. None, but one at McMinnville 

near our lines. 

64. None. 

65. None. 

66. None. 

67. None. 

68. One on the west fork of Eed 

river. 

69. None. 

70. None. 

71. No answer. 



What is the estimated amount of capital invested in sheep 
in your county? 



$50,000. 

$6,000 to $10,000. 

No answer. 

About $6,000. 

No answer. 

Very little, cannot give the 

amount. 
None. 

Do not know. 
About $7,000 or $8,000. 
$50,000. 
$20,000. 
Cannot answer. 
About $40,000. 
No answer. 
No answer. 
$30,000 to $40,000. 
$3,000. 
$20,000. 
$3,000. 
$3,500. 
$25,000 to $30,000. 



22. 
23. 

24. 

25. 
i 26. 
i 27. 

28. 
i 29. 
i30. 
131. 
I 32. 
133. 

34. 
' 35. 

36. 

37. 

38. 

39. 

40. 

41. 

:42. 

- 43. 



$7,500. 

No answer. 

Not over $15,000. 

No answer. 

$10,000 to $12,000. 

About $24,000. 

About $6,000. 

No answer. 

$5,000. 

About $20,000. 

About $40,000. 

Unable to answer. 

Very limited. 

$100,000. 

Do not knoAV. 

No answer. 

$10,000 to $12,000. 

$10,000 to $12,000. 

None. 

$900. 

$75,000. 

No answer. 



[199] 



44. About $12,000. 

45. Very little. 

46. Very limited. . 

47. About $30,000. 

48. Do not know. ■ 

49. Do not know. 

50. About $5,000. 

51. Cannot answer. 

52. $15,000 to $20,000. 

53. No answer. 

54. $7,000 or $8,000. 

55. $3,000 to $4,000. 

56. No answer. 

57. About $10,000. 



58. No answer. 

59. No answer. 

60. About $10,000. 

61. No answer. 

62. No answer. 

63. $10,000. 

64. $12,000. 

65. None. 

66. No answer. 

67. Cannot answer. 

68. Do not know. 

69. Can't tell. 

70. No answer. 

71. Don't know. 



What is the estimated number and value of sheep an- 
nually destroyed by dogs ? 



1. Half a dozen farmers present es- 

timate the number from 300 
to 1,000. 

2. xibout one-fifth annually. 

3. Cannot give any estimate. 

4. No answer. 

5. About 800, worth $1,600. 

6. One-fourth. 

7. None since the dog law was 

passed. 

8. No answer. 

9. In the last three years but few, 

but previously one-fourth. 

10. About one-half of the whole 

amount. 

11. 200 in this county. Must now 

increase. 

12. 500. 

13. A great many, don't laiow the 

number. 

14. Don't know, less the past season 

than ever. 

15. About one-fourth. 

16. No answer. 

17. About 25 per cent, of the whole. 

18. 50 sheep valued at $62.50. 

19. About 10 per cent. 

20. About 1,000, value $3,000. 

21. 5 per cent. 

22. No answer. ^ 

23. 100 head. 

24. 10 per cent. 

25. About 200 or 300. 

26. 500. 

27. Verv few. 



28. A'ery few since the dog law was 

passed. 

29. No answer. 

30. One-half to three-fourths of the 
whole number. 

31. 10 to 20 per cent. 

32. 10 per cent. 

33. Not less than 20 per cent. 

34. 10 to 15 per cent. 

35. No answer. 

36. $2,500 in value. 

37. Do not know. 

38. 10 per cent. 

39. Very few recently. 

40. About 10 per cent. 

41. About one-fourth. 

42. 25 per cent., valued at $15,500. 

43. No answer. 

44. A verv considerable number. 

45. 100, value $125. 

46. 1,000 for this county. 

47. About 10 per cent. 

48. Cannot answer, know it to be 

large. 

49. Cannot say. 

50. Cannot give the number, think 

it great. 

51. Cannot answer. 

52. Very considerable. 

53. No answer. 

54. Very few while the dog law was 

in force. 

55. Aout one-third of the whole 

56. 300 to 500 a year. 

57. No data, number large. 



[200] 



58. From 5 to 10 per cent. 
■59. No answer. 
60. 500 head valued at $1,500. 
m. 200 to 300 head. 

62. No answer. 

63. 400 head, value $600. 

64. Very few since the dog law was 



65. None reported since repeal of 
dog law. 



66. 50, value $100. 

67. 500 to 700, worth $1,000 to 

$1,400. 

68. Recently not many, perhaps 15 

per cent. 

69. It has been 20 to 25 per cent, this 

year. 

70. No answer. 

71. No answer. 



Do you know any person who has abandoned the raising 
of sheep on account of their destruction by dogs? 



1. Yes, John Connon, Bellbuckle. 

2. No answer. 

3. Not any. 

4. No answer. 

5. Cannot say. 

6. No answer. 

7. One or two. 

8. Yes, a great many. 

9. A great many persons would 

have small flocks but for the 
dogs. 

10. One-half of those now engaged 

in it intend to do so. 

11. Yes, Captain Tompkins and 

Mrs. Drake. 

12. Yes. 

13. A great many. 

14. A great many ai-e going back to 

it as it pays well 

15. I hear some threatening to do so. 

16. None. 

17. I do. 

18. I do not. 

19. Fully half of the farmers have 

quit. 

20. No answer. 

21. No answer. 

22. Yes, frequently hear persons say 

they will. 

23. None. 

24. Yes, several. 

25. Do not. 

26. Not many. 

27. None. 

28. Some would have gone into the 

business but for the repeal of 
the law. 

29. Yes, several. 

30. I do. 

31. Lots of farmers. 



32. None. 

33. I do for I am one. 

34. Yes. 

35. Fear of dogs prevents large in- 

vestment in sheep. 

36. Do not. 

37. Yes, several. 

38. Very few if any. 

39. Yes, others are deterred by dogs. 

40. No. 

41. No. 

42. Yes, several. 

43. A few. 

44. No, many are deterred from fear 

of them. 

45. No answer. 

46. Yes, some commenced the busi- 

ness and abandoned it. 

47. One or two. 

48. Yes. 

49. Yes, several. 

50. I do not, I think many are de- 

terred from fear of dogs. 

51. Yes, others would like to go into 

the business but are deterred 
by it. 

52. Could name several. 

53. No answer. 

54. Not altogether, but several have 

reduced their flocks in conse- 
quence. 

55. Many. 

56. Do not. 

57. Quite a number. 

58. Quite a number. 

59. Several, and hundreds are afraid 

to. 

60. Yes. 

61. I know of a few. 



[201] 



62, Some say if it were not for dogs 

they would go into the busi- 
ness. 

63. Yes. 
'64. No. 

65. None. 

66. Yes. 



67. Yes, quite a number. 

68. It prevents many from following 

it as an occupation. 

69. No. 

70. No. 

71. Yes. 



[202] 



CHAPTER Xiy. 

CONCLUDING OBSERVATIONS. 

In compiling this little book, I have drawn largely upon 
the judgment and experience of the most intelligent and 
successful sheep raisers in this country and of Europe, in 
order to make it a book of reference for such of our farmers 
who have not access to, or the leisure and opportunity to 
consult the works of so many and varied authors. 

Some persons object to what they call "book farming." 
What is book farming but the combined wisdom and knowl- 
edge of the men who have given the subject the most care- 
ful investigation and attention. As well might we exclude 
books of instruction from our schools and colleges, if our 
youth can teach themselves the arts and sciences without 
them. How often do men cling to a false theory, or con- 
tinue to pursue a wrong method of conducting their business 
all their lives, for the want of a proper knowledge and un- 
derstanding of the true ones ? It is a matter of almost daily 
occurrence for persons to bring specimens of worthless rocks 
to this office to be analysed, supposing, from some little shin- 
ing particles they contain, they must contain some of the 
precious metals. A little knowledge of geology and miner- 
alogy would have taught them better and saved them the 
loss of a good deal of time and trouble, besides disappointed 
hopes and expectations. We must have brains on the farm 
as well as muscle — brains to plan and direct, muscle to ex- 
ecute, an instructive as well as executive department. 
The two cannot be successfully united to any great extent. 
The man who toils and sweats at the plough through the 
long summer's day, though he might wish that he could 
find some easier method of turning over the sod, would 



[203] 

never work out the problem which the Duke of Sutherland 
did in his closet, of using the most powerful agent known to 
man — dynamite — for that purpose. Physical force must 
always succumb to brain force. The laborers and mechanics 
opposed one by one the new inventions as fast as they came 
out for lessening the manual labor in the mechanical arts, but 
they soon found, that instead of throwing them out of employ- 
ment, they found better in other directions. The seamstress 
found that instead of losing her work through the introduc- 
tion of the sewing machine, she could make more money 
with one in one hour than she could in a whole day by sew- 
ing by hand; so through all the departments of labor. 

Let us then, not despise knowledge obtained from books, 
which are the only channels thi-ough which man can elevate 
himself above the mere instincts of brute creation, and bring 
himself to the knowledge of the living God who created 
him in his own image, and will hold him responsible for 
the talents committed to his care. 

I cannot close my labors without making one more effort 
to awaken our farmers to a sense of the necessity of throwing 
oflF their lethargy and sapineness, and infusing more life and 
energy into their occupation. "A man's heart should be in 
his vocation." The flock- master should love his sheep, and 
feel an interest in them akin to that of his own children, 
else he had better abandon the attera})t at raising them. 
What would be the condition of our manufacturing interests 
to day if no more life and enterprise had been infused into 
them than we find in our agricultural departments? Would 
they have been able to compete with the skilled artisans and 
mechanics of Europe ? — nay, to have almost shut their man- 
ufactures out of our markets, and even undersell them in 
many of their productions in their own. Is there less skill 
required in agriculture than in the mechanic arts? Agri- 
culture is a science of the highest order, and no man will 
succeed in it who does not so regard it. All our great 
Southern statesmen and orators were agriculturists, and they 



[204] 

thought it not beneath them to devote the same abilities to 
their home occupations that they carried with them into the 
forum ; doubtless, much of their inspiration was drawn from 
their constantly communing, when at home, with nature 
and nature's works. History tells us that the great Roman 
Empire did not begin to decline till her patriots and states- 
men forsook their landed estates to dwell within the narrow 
confines of walled cities. Let our landed proprietors look 
to it in time, lest a like calamity should befall our own 
country, for history is constantly repeating itself among all 
nations. 

Instead then of lounging and loafing around our inland 
towns, telling the news of the day and laughing at anecdotes, 
let our men who own lands resort to them and engage in the 
beautiful occupation of the agriculturist in some one of its 
'many branches. It is not to be expected that many persons 
will devote themselves wholly to sheep raising, as our farm- 
ing is, as a general thing, of a mixed character. But the 
object of these pages is to teach those who wish to raise a 
few sheep as well as those who wish to make it a specialty. 

There are so many advantages in having a few sheep on 
every farm that the reader must pardon us for making a re- 
sume of them, with the hope of impressing its importance 
on some few of our many farmers who are without them. 
They add to the comfort of the poor man, for it gives him 
the means of clothing his family warmly, and since the abo- 
lition of looms every observant man will see the shabby 
manner in which many of our farmers are clad. When the 
good housewife held sway over the clipping of her sheep, 
she, with the daughters of the family, could find no better 
occupation, during the long, tedious winter night, than to 
spin and reel the fleecy rolls from the carding factory. A 
willing hand and a cheerful spirit come of employment, and 
soon the supply is hanging on the walls in the shape of 
hanks of fine or coarse wool, some for wearing and other for 
knitting. A few days are only required to convert these 



[205] 

hanks into good warm jeans or calamanca, a four treadle 
jeans. 

In addition to the benefit of clothes, a small flock of sheep 
"vvill supply a sweet and toothsome food when satiated with 
the briny fries of bacon. Nothing eats like lambs of our 
own raising, and lamb and peas is a dish fit for kings. 
How much better when it does not come from the butchers. 
In fact, when the butcher has to supply it, it seldom makes 
its appearance on the table. But from our flock it can obey 
the will of the farmer, and a regular interchange of slaughter 
between farmers wiJi keep fresh meat as often as required, 
without the danger of spoiling from the heat of summer. 
The surplus wool gives a convenient supply of pocket change, 
(we are speaking of small flocks), at a time of the year when 
the farmer has no crop to sell. The peculiar fitness of wool 
for market is shown by its ease and cheapness of transporta- 
tion. It can be sent to any market at but a slight cost. 
Nothing in agriculture is so easily carried to market without 
injury and so cheaply. It can be carried from San Fran- 
cisco to New York for one and one-half cents per pound, 
while wheat or bacon would cost its entire value to transport 
it so far. There are important considerations in selecting a 
product of agriculture. It gives great facilities for the 
home and brings the foreign markets into competition. It 
must be kept in mind, however, that wool will not bear 
baling for transportation like cotton. Its fulling property 
prevents that. If baled, it might become so inextricably 
tangled in the fulling process that it would be worthless. 
The fibres of wool are different from hair. While the latter 
has bristled or barbs on its sides, the wool is made precisely 
like a stack of thimbles let into each other, and the edges 
of the thimbles have beards by which they stick to each 
other fibre by these hooks. While the wool is ordinarily 
pressed, these hooks do not get hold of each other, but if 
brought together very firmly, and especially if rubbed, these 
little hooks will catch into each other in such a manner they 



[206] 

can oulybe separated by catting up. The wool hat is an 
instance of the fulling process. It is one of the most inter- 
esting items in regard to wool to recapitulate the many pur'- 
poses to which it is applied. It goes into every form of 
clothing for man and vroman. The finest gauzy fabrics of 
female wear are made of the same material with the coarse, 
heavy shoddy of the hod carrier. It covers our feet, hands 
and heads; it covers our floors and beds. There is scarcely 
a single article of commerce, from gun wads to the heavy 
cordage of ships, but has wool in its construction. With 
all the uses to which it is applied there will never come a 
time when it will not remunerate the producer. 

Again, every one knows that land must be renewed or it 
will cease to be productive. I take the broad ground that 
nothing will renew lands cheaper and more effectually than 
sheep. 

England has 32,000,000 sheep, and Scotland, much 
smaller than Tenxnessee, with more mountains than any 
State in our Union, has 5,000,000. They are kept in such 
quantities chiefly on account of their fertilizing qualities. 
The population of that country is so enormous that the land 
is taxed to its utmost capacity to feed its citizens, and with- 
out sheep it would fall still further behind than it does. 
They do not destroy the grass roots like other animals, their 
bite being sharp and light. They dispense their manure 
evenly over the surface, so that all alike is benefitted. The 
sheep will consume and finally eradicate from the soil all 
noxious weeds, there being but few that are not eaten by 
them. And, by the way, it is a well known thing that ivy 
or laurel will kill sheep eating it. There is a great deal of 
it growing in mountainous countries, and they must be 
guarded from it. A gentleman of Davidson county informs 
me that he lost a fine flock of sheep from eating the common 
ground ivy common to all damp woods. This must not be 
confounded with the former ivy or sheepkill as it is called, 
also called caliso bush. It is a laurel (Kalmia Angusti- 



[207] 

folii) and is well known as a deadly poison to sheep and 
cattle. 

Taking all these facts into consideration, we feel that we 
can commend this industry to all classes of people, alike to 
the landlord and renter, to the owner of a few acres and to 
the plantation of the once wealthy farmer, who, having lost 
his laborers, can put the sheep to work to repair the damage 
of years upon his exhausted lands. 

To encourage the' raising of sheep the last Legislature 
enacted a very wise law and one that will redound to the 
welfare of the State. This law allows every farmer to own 
fifty sheep exempt from execution for debt. It is unfortu- 
nate that their ideas of the rights of property did not in- 
fluence them to enact a law for the protection of flocks 
against the ravages of roaming dogs. 



[208] 



CHAPTER XV. 



ANGORA GOATS. 



Angora goats resemble sheep more than any other animal 
in their habits of herding and feeding, as well as in the 
usefulness of their outer coating and in the excellent quali- 
ties of their flesh. I have thought, therefore, that a chap- 
ter devoted to their management may not be unacceptable 
to the farmers of Tennessee. The farm can have no scav- 
enger equal to a flock of goats. However thick the briers 
or tangled the undergrowth, a flock of goats will quickly 
destroy them, and no food is so highly relished by them as 
that which is utilized by no other domestic animal. For 
clearing up the underbrush of a woodland pasture, a flock 
of goats is equal to as many laborers, and they will thrive 
and fatten on their labor. The flesh of the goat is very 
palatable and healthful, and the cheapest which can be pro- 
duced. Mr. Stratton, of Cumberland county, whose letter 
is included in this chapter, informed the writer that the cost 
of raising a goat is not as much as the cost of raising a 
chicken. 

Half a century ago the Angora goat was unknown in 
America. For a century the existence of cashmere shawls 
was known, and in high life the possession of one ranked 
in importance with the possession of a diamond, and was 
transmitted with equal care from mother to daughter. The 
brilliancy and fineness of the texture and the high prices 
which these shawls commanded, led enquiring minds to an 
investigation of the subject. So rare a fabric, it was argued, 
should not be unknown in its method of manufacture to 
the skill and intelligence of the western world. The semi- 
barbarians of mid- Asia should not be permitted to bring to 



[ 209 ] 

shame the finest and costliest textile fabrics of civilized 
Europe and America. For many years the texture, even, 
qf these costly shawls was unknown. It was believed that 
they were made of a fine wool, but examination of the 
fibres disclosed the fact that it was not wool at all, but hair ; 
and then speculation ran wild as to what animal produced 
such a silky, glossy coat. The manner and method ot man- 
ufacture were equally unknown, and it was many years be- 
fore the public was enlightened on these subjects. Even 
after the origin was made public, it was still many years, in 
spite of the most strenuous efforts upon the part of indi- 
viduals and of governments, before the possession of a 
single animal could be obtained, so jealously was their ex- 
portation guarded by the shepherd kings of Asia. It was 
too fruitful a source of revenue to those nomadic people to 
be tampered with. Time and patience finally overcame 
their scruples, though the first animals imported cost fabu- 
lous sums. They not only had to be paid for at enormous 
prices, but had to be transported about 1,500 miles over 
desert and mountain, where no couvenient railway offered 
its services. The hostility of the Arab tribes had to be 
encountered ail the way, and their prejudice had taken such 
deep root that every individual made efforts to thwart the 
purpose, and it was only after the most incredible hardships 
and dangers that at last a few goats were landed on the 
shores of America. 

Dr. J. B. Davis, of Columbia, South Carolina, has the 
high honor of having been the first man who brought any 
here, he having, while consul to Turkey, secured nine 
thorough blood animals from Thibet, and landed them at 
last, after many difficulties, in his native city. So valuable 
were they, that he readily sold the produce of these animals 
at from one to three thousand dollars a pair. 

Various attempts have been made, both in Europe and 
America, to manufacture these shawls, but with little suc- 
cess, the water and atmosphere of Asia being necessary to 
14 



[210] 

impart the brilliant colors for which they are so famous. 
England long enjoyed a monopoly of the trade in cashmere 
shawls, and through the selfishness of the London import- 
ers much of the difficulty of importation was due. 

There are two species of goats famous for the character 
of the fleece. The Thibet goat is the true cashmere shawl 
goat, but the distance is so great and the difficulties of ob- 
taining them so numerous, they are almost unknown to our 
stock men. In Asia Minor is a vilayet called Angora, of 
which Angora is the capital. A species of goats called, 
from this city, Angora, now are found, that so much resem- 
ble the true Cashmere that only experts are able to distin- 
guish them, and these have come into general use in Amer- 
ica. The fleece is as good and equally as valuable, but there 
are some insensible properties in the Cashmere that are of 
but little practical importance, hence the Angora has super- 
seded to a great extent the Cashmere. Dr. Scott, whose 
able treatise we have used with his consent, says that Dr. 
Davis brought over the Angora, while the Cyclopedia of 
the Appletons says they were the Thibet goat. Be that as 
it may, the price of a full-blooded buck is so greatly re- 
duced that almost any farmer can avail himself of one, and 
by crossing one of these " bucks " with a flock of the com- 
mon goat, a fine character of cashmere wool, as it is mis- 
called, can soon be obtained; in fact, after five crosses the 
fleece cannot be distinguished from the pure bred animal. 
We hardly think our progressive people, however, can ever 
be got into the manufacture of those famous shawls, as it 
requires from one to five years work with several looms to 
m.ake a single shawl. Labor is so cheap in that overpopu- 
lated country that good workmen can be obtained at a cost 
of a few cents a day, and only merchants can engage in the 
work, as the laborer can get nothing until his shawl is com- 
pleted, and therefore must be fed by the employer while 
engaged in its construction. There are many other uses 
to which the wool can be applied, and it is gaining more 



[211] 

popularity every day, and the time will come when mucfe 
•of our woolen fabrics will be made of it. 

For further information, we refer the reader to the article 
•of Dr. Scott, to that of Joseph Phillips, of Davidson, and 
to Mr. Lorenzo Stratton, of Grassy Cove, Cumberland 
county. The latter gentleman seems to think — and his 
opinion is based upon experience — that they are peculiarly 
suited to the Table-lands of the Cumberland Mountains. 
That they can be raised much cheaper than sheep will not 
admit of a doubt, and it is only the question of sales that 
has to be determined. 

THE BREEDING, MANAGEMENT AND PRODUCTS OF 
THE CASHMERE, OR ANGORA GOATS. 

[By Robert W. Scott, Frankfort, Ky.] 

After maturely studying the history, and a careful inspec- 
tion of the persons of these animals, during several years, 
I purchased a flock of them in May, 1860. I was impressed 
that an animal so hardy and prolific, producing a textile 
product so rare, so durable, so beautiful, and so valuable, 
must soon become of great practical importance in a coun- 
try of so much wealth and taste as ours. I was specially 
impressed with the facility and certainty with which the 
males of this breed transferred all of their superior quali- 
ties to a lower and common species of the same class of 
animals, by being carefully bred to the females of the lower 
<3lass for five or more generations, the improvement com- 
mencing promptly and palpably with the first cross, and 
plainly manifest in each succeeding one, until in five or 
more crosses the inferior blood was almost lost in form, and 
fleece, and character. 

This feature assured me that in a few years fine wool or 
mohair could be produced from pure and from cross-breel 
animals sufficient to justify the erection in this country of 
manufactories of the product, until which time the animals 



[212] 

would have to be bred for their prospective value, and for 
fancy articles mainly. A fratricidal war delayed, but could 
not divert, the consummation. Several manufactories have 
already been established. The demand, at remunerating 
prices, is greater than the supply; and the wool of cross- 
bred animals during several generations proves to be equal 
to any for many of the purposes of use or ornament, and 
we are assured that we may now enter confidently upon this 
new and promising field of industry. 

PEACTICAL INFOEMATIOIS^ CONCERNING THEM. 

To those who contemplate entering upon the breeding of 
these animals, a few remarks, derived from careful reading, 
and from practical experience during near twenty years^ 
may not be uninteresting. 

A SKETCH OF THEIR HISTORY. 

Though the goat has not long been practically known as 
a wool-bearing animal in the United States, yet it is infer- 
able, from their hardier nature and better adaptation to 
pioneer life, that it supplied our remote ancestors with both 
clothing and food long before the sheep was used for these 
purposes. Certainly from the earliest history of our race 
it has been intimately and practically associated with man, 
and in some Asiatic countries still contributes to his re- 
quirements more than sheep. The race abounds in almost 
infinite varieties, which have readily adapted themselves to 
the climates, subsistence and culture, to which they have 
been subjected, in almost every habitable portion of the 
globe. They were regarded by the ancient Israelites as 
clean beasts, were esteemed as choice food, and were conse- 
crated to sacrifice. Certainly ever since, and probably long 
before Moses ordered one hunclred and sixty- five yards of 
the cloth of "goat's hair" to be made for the veil or cov- 
ering of the Tabernacle, the wool-bearing goat has been 
known and used by the Asiatic people, and the animals still 



[213] 

greatly abound ia several countries of that quarter of the 
globe. It is strange, therefore, that they were not much 
earlier introduced into our country. 

THEIR IMPORTATION INTO THE UNITED STATES. 

This honor was left to Dr. Jas. B. Davis, of South Caro- 
lina, in the year 1849, since which several other importa- 
tions have been made. As Dr. Davis was our Consul to 
Turkey when he exported them, and as Smyrna, or Con- 
stantinople, was their port of debarkation, it is probable 
that he availed himself of the advantages of his official po- 
sition to secure the variety known as Angora goats, called 
so from the cit}' of Angora, in the province of JSTatolia, in 
Asia Minor, where they are extensively raised, and their 
wool was once more largely manufactured. 

Another wool bearing goat is extensively raised in Thi- 
bet, in Central Asia. Its wool is exported to the small 
province of Cashmere, where it is manufactured into the 
richest and most beautiful fabrics, which have given wealth 
and fame to that little interior country all over the world. 
As it is not known that any of these have ever been im- 
ported into the United States, those which we have should, 
in strictness, be called Angora and not Cashmere goats. 
Though there is some discordance in the history of the im- 
portation of these animals and of their breed and nativity, 
yet the name Angora is now generally accorded to them, 
and their descendants from the flock of Dr. Davis, it hav- 
ing been acquired many years since by Col. R. B. Peters, 
of Georgia. Several other importations also have been 
made at divers times, among the animals of which there is 
a general uniformity, though with some discrepancy as to 
size, color and fleece; and the fullest description of them 
has been given by Hon. J. S. Diehl, in the U. S. Agricultu- 
ral Report for 1863. 



[214] 

DESCEIPTION, CHARACTER AND HABITS. 

As they liave been so often illustrated in agricultural 
publications, a. personal description of them is not here im- 
portant. In size they are superior to the native or common 
goat. Wethers, when fully grown and fatted, will weigh 
from sixty to eighty pounds, live weight. A wether of my 
flock, two years old, has weighed, when dressed, fifty-four 
and a half pounds net — the fore quarters 18 pounds, the 
hind quarters 21 pounds, the saddle 12 pounds, and the 
rendered tallow 3^^ pounds; the tallow much more in some 
other cases. The color of pure bred and full-blood animals 
is almost invariably white, though some of the earliest de- 
scendants of imported animals were brown; some being 
gray and some black, also, in their native country, varying 
a, little, perhaps, in species, or family of species. Their gay 
and intelligent appearance, their cleanly habits, active and 
playful disposition, make them attractive on a farm ; while 
in their nature they are so docile that they may be raised so 
as to be as familiar about the house and yard as the dog or 
the cat. Though they have great curiosity and enterprise, 
they also have strong local attachments, and after wander- 
ing all day, will generally seek their usual shelter at night, 
especially if the weather is inclement. They do not break 
fences, or clear them at a single bound, as most other stock 
do, but will pass through a hole which is already made, will 
climb up a rail which leans at about forty-five degrees, or 
will bound on top of, and then over, a low fence. Any 
good farm fence five feet high, except stone fence, will keep 
them securely. Like other stock, they are more trouble- 
some after they have acquired roaming and breachy habits.^ 
They bear coupling, hobbling and tethering better than any 
other stock. 

In their diet they are almost omnivorous, eating in win- 
ter often what they have rejected in summer. Ou large 
farms much the greater portion of their diet will consist of 



[215] 

weeds, bushes, briers, fallen leaves, brush, etc., and they are 
truly valuable for keeping lands clean of these. In winter 
short grass and corn-fodder is all that is required, even by 
the breeding flock, and I have never found it necessary to 
feed grain of any kind to them at any season. 
• A dry shelter is desirable for them, especially to the fe- 
males in kidding season ; though my flock of males and 
wethers, even after they have been shorn in April, has 
never had any protection than what they could obtain 
around a hay or straw stack. 

The females have no perceptible odor at any season, and 
the males only during the breeding season, when they uri- 
nate on their fore legs and beards; but their habits and 
odor are much less offensive than of the native goat; and 
their language of love is much less demonstrative and 
noisy. 

In breeding they are precocious, the females being ca- 
pable of breeding at seven months, and the males of propa- 
gation still earlier. As the females carry their young only 
five months, it is possible for them to have young within 
twelve months old; but I do not think it advisable that 
either sex breed in less than twelve or eighteen months old. 
Generally the pure-bred animals have but one at a birth; 
while grade and full-blooded females will have from one to 
five, and with reasonable care will always raise as many 
kids as there are mothers in the flock, and often more. If 
the weather is pleasant, and the kids, at their birth, can 
once get dry, and stand up and suck, they require but little 
attention afterwards. The mothers may sometimes lose or 
leave them in large pastures, especially if they have more 
than one, when they are very young. Like deer, they in- 
cline to leave their young, and return to and suckle them at 
intervals, during the first few days after birth. A protracted 
cold rain is often fatal to a kid at the time of its birth ; it 
is therefore desirable to house the females at night, during 
the period of parturition. The males should be bred to the 



[216] 

females, so that the kids will come in pleasant weather, and 
as simultaneously as possible, for which, and other reasons, 
it is preferable, commonly, to keep the adult males and 
wethers separate from the breeding flock. The bucks are 
said to be valuable in protecting the flock from the attacks 
of dogs, and under my observation the goats are most com- 
monly the attacking party, having seen them frequently 
charge and drive away a loafing dog. They do not, by 
flight, invite the pursuit of dogs, as sheep do ; and dogs do 
not seem to have the same disposition to worry or to eat 
them, which they manifest towards sheep. 

Though goats will often bite, hook, and butt each other, 
yet they are not cross with other stock, and the males do 
not fight and injure each other as male sheep often do. 

DISEASES AND INSECTS TO WHICH THEY ARE SUBJECT. 

Though I have been breeding these animals nearly twenty 
-years, and once had over two hundred head of them of all 
ages, yet there has never been any epidemic disease among 
them. During this time I have lost several b}^ worms in 
the nose, as with sheep, and one by a swelling of the glands 
of the throat. A humor in the cleft of the foot, like 
scratches in horses, has given me more trouble than all 
other diseases. It is caused by wading through high, wet 
grass, yields readily to strong acids, and never kills. Wash 
the sore repeatedly in carbolic soap suds, or in turpentine, 
and then apply a salve made of bluestone, or copperas, or 
tar. A variety of small, long, red vermin is peculiar to 
them ; is not fatal, and can be destroyed mainly by prepara- 
rations of tobacco, cresylic soap, or camphor, sulphur, etc., 
applied along the back. The great peculiarity of the 

ANGORA GOAT IS ITS FLEECE, OR RATHER ITS FLEECES. 

The hairy covering of all goats is known in commerce as 
mohair, both the long wavy fleece of the Angora, and the 
shorter and finer, silky, under hair of the true Cashmere 



[217] 

goat, wliich is obtained by combing it out. Like some 
furred animals, the Angora goat wears two distinct and dif- 
ferent suits of clothing, and mainly at different seasons. 
One is short, stiff, coarse, and of no commercial value ; the 
other is long in proportion to the degree of blood, and is 
lustrous, soft, silky, and elastic. The animal is born with a 
covering of the first, which in a few weeks drops out, and 
is simultaneously replaced by the second, or the fine wool, 
which in its time also drops out, and is similarly superseded 
by the first ; the animals wearing the short, coarse hair in 
the spring and early summer, and the long fine wool in 
summer, fall and winter. When the wool of the Angora 
goat is being shed, the cups or bulbs in the skin which pro- 
duced the fibers are also shed, as well as the cuticle or out- 
side skin. This is a great peculiarity of the Angora goat ; 
but a still greater one, and of far more practical importance, 
is its capacity to transfer, or to impart this rare quality to 
other goats which do not possess it. The males certainly 
have this power in a high degree : and the female Angora 
bred to a common male, will no doubt impart the same 
quality, but probably not in so high a degree. The kid of 
an Angora buck, out of a native ewe, invariably has in its 
skin those bulbs or cups which produce and secrete the fine 
wool of the Angora^ or wool-bearing goat, while it has the 
power to secrete the hair also, as its ancestry, on the dam 
side, always had. The wool of goats is finer, longer, or 
thicker in different individuals of the same blood, just as is 
the case ^yith sheep; and like sheep, also, the same animal 
produces finer wool when young than when advanced in life. 
But the wool of the half-blood kid or goat is of a standard 
fineness of full-blood or of pure- bred Angora goat's wool, 
but it is short. The icool and the hair of the half-blood 
grow together, and seem to constitute but one covering; but 
a close inspection shows the different fibers, issuing from 
different bulbs in the same skin ; and when the shedding 
season arrives, the fine wool may be combed out of the hair 



[218] 

on the animal's back, and on being separated from it, bears 
a close resemblance to the finest fur, or to Saxony wool, and 
is especially like the true Cashmere mohair, out of which 
the most valuable shawls, etc., are made. A friend who was 
traveling in Asia sent me a sample of mohair, which exactly 
resembles this fine loool of the first cross, having also 
some of the coarse hair, and of the cuticle in it, showing 
that it had been shed, and not shorn. The two products of 
the half and of the three-quarter blood being nearly of the 
same length, they cannot be separated by shearing, and to 
gather it by combing it out of the hair on the backs of the 
animal is too tedious. The specimen to which I have al- 
luded is most probably the product of some other species of 
wool-bearing goat, and not of a half-blood cross of different 
species, and is doubtless the pure Cashmere. 

If the half-blood female kid is bred to a pure Angora 
buck, the product will be similar, except that the wool will 
be longer in proportion to the degree of Angora blood; and 
sometimes long enough to be separated by being shorn from 
the animals so as to be cut over the ends of the coarse hair. 
The wool will be long and fine enough for many uses in 
manufacture, but there will generally be so much of worth- 
less hair in it as to make it of little value. On animals of 
the third similar cross, or of seven- eighths Angora blood, 
the fine wool will always be so much longer than the hair, 
that it admits of practical separation in shearing; and so of 
those of the fourth cross, while those of the fifth cross, and 
above it, bear ivool, which, in every essential particular, re- 
sembles that of pure bred or imported Angora goats, and 
admits of application to all the uses of the best imported 
mohair, or of home raised wool from pure- bred animals, 
though it is always liable to have some hair in it. 



[219] 

WILL, FULL- BLOOD BUCKS PRODUCE THIS WOOL WHEN BRED 

TO NATIVE FEMALES, SIMILARLY AS WITH 

PURE-BRED BUCKS? 

This question has been affirmatively settled by the expe- 
rience of every breeder of Angora goats in the United 
States, so far as I have ever known or heard, yet while sim- 
ilarly yet not so perfectly as by pure-bred males ; the fleeces 
which are produced by the full-blood bucks being more 
subject to long and coarse hairs in them, than those which 
are the product of pure-bred bucks. But the question is no 
longer of practical value, since the pure-bred animals have 
become more common, and the price of them has been re- 
duced. 

The experience of breeders and of manufacturers has also 
well established the practical value of the mohair produced 
by crossing the pure-bred bucks on the native females for 
five or more times. About ten years since thirty-six fleeces 
of my clip of 1868 — two only of which were pure-bred, and 
many less than full-blood — were forwarded to Messrs. 
Bauendahl & Co., Nos. 45 and 47 Park Place, City of New 
York, which were sent by them to a manufacturer, and 
then sold at $1.25 per pound, upon its merits. In this cir- 
cular for October, 1868, they say: "Mohair, etc. — The 
present condition of this article offers a favorable opportu- 
tunity for raising full-blood goats' wool," etc. — drawing a 
distinction between pure-bred and full-blood. These gen- 
tlemen are well-known as among the highest and most re- 
liable authority upon this subject in the United States. 

While I hold science and philosophy in the highest es- 
teem, it must not be forgotten that they learn their best 
lessons in the school of practical experiment, and their true 
teachings can only be in conformity to established facts. As 
improvements and varieties in domestic stock have hereto- 
fore been produced by crossing, climate and subsistence, it 
will be unwise to reject the use of any of these means in 



[220] 

the future, unless all improvement is accomplished, all 
new uses supplied, and all new regions accommodated. But 
what need of speculation in the presence of substantial facts? 

THE VARIOUS PRODUCTS OP THE ANGOEA GOAT. 

Their flesh is highly nutritious, and easy of digestion ; is 
comely to the eye and pleasant to the palate, absorbing seas- 
oning well. It is convenient in size, and the meat may be 
used fresh, or when cured. If fattened on corn, nothing is 
superior to it. Their milk is sweet and nutritious, being 
often prescribed by physicians for invalids and infants. As 
with other breeds of goats, cheese may be made of it of 
standard quality. The pelts of young animals, taken off 
when the wool is of a proper length, make most beautiful 
and comfortable furs for ladies and gentlemen, which fashion 
only would place as second to any others. Those of older 
animals, when dressed or tanned, make mats for doors, 
hearths, carriages, etc., of the most serviceable and beauti- 
ful description, and several sewed together make a robe for 
a buggy of the most comfortable and elegant character. A 
great many of the pelts were imported from abroad into 
New York, a few years since, by Messrs. C G. Gunther & 
Co., at a cost ef $10 to $30 each, and they are still imported 
somewhat largely annually. The Angora goat is being very 
extensively raised in California, and a popular goat breeder's 
association has been established in Sacramento, and an ex- 
tensive factory for the manufacture of their skins with and 
without the mohair on them, has been put in successful 
operation in San Jose, California, of which Mr. C. P. Bailey 
is president. Among many others, I have sold the pelt, 
with the mohair on it, of a yearling at $18. Their hides, 
in foreign countries, make the morocco leather, which all 
know to be one of the most pleasant and durable materials 
of its kind. Their tallow is white, clear and firm, bearing 
a close resemblance to sperm. 



[221] 



BUT THEIE CEOWNINF VALUE IS THEIR WOOL OR MOHAIR. 

At a meeting of the officers of the Kentucky State Agri- 
cultural Society, and many other gentlemen, samples of all 
the textile materials of that class were exhibited and exam- 
ined, and discussed at length, and the Angora wool was 
conceded to be the most beautiful, durable and valuable 
material of them all. While it can be produced at a less 
cost, by us, than any of the others, it will also bring more 
money per pound, the full- blood wool not being scarcely 
distinguishable from the pure- bred and the imported. It is 
white, lustrous, wavy (not curly or in a screw), elastic and 
strong, with properties which enable it to resist decomposi- 
tion (from any cause) better than any other textile material, 
receiving and retaining chemical and other dyes better than 
any other, and felting so kindly that this property is used 
in the manufacture of some of its most costly and beautiful 
products; and so much so that the breeders must shear 
promptly at the shedding season, or it will felt on the backs 
and sides of the animals, as every breeder has experienced. 

A complete and extensive collection of small samples of 
all the principle wools of commerce, both plain and under 
several colors, arranged in a gilt frame, and under glass, 
together with several skins of goats, and of the " Improved 
Kentucky" sheep, with the wool on them, were exhibited 
by me at the National Exhibition at Philadelphia in 1876, 
and a medal and diploma were awarded them. They have 
since been deposited for exhibition in the State Agricultural 
room in the Capitol in Frankfort. 

The American Institute at New York, and the United 
States Agricultural Society at Philadelphia, and the State 
Agricultural Society of Kentucky, adopted resolutions 
highly commendatory of these animals for wool bearing, 
and of their adaptation to the United States. The principal 
wool merchants of the eastern cities have made repeated 



[222] 

publications in encouragement of the production of mohair, 
and several of them now make quotations of it in their 
monthly reports. Besides the manufacture of it into 
fringes, laces, tassels, ornaments and hosiery, several ex- 
tensive factories of it into dress goods, and into plush for 
the covering of chairs, sofas, etc., and especially into the 
covering of railroad car seats, have been established and are 
in successful operation in the United States. For this last 
named use mohair is especially adapted, and it will require 
all which can ever be produced. 

Some of the mohair which I have produced has been 
satisfactorily sold on commission for me by Messrs. Bauen- 
dahl, of the city of New York. Several clips, raised by 
me here, and also my partner in a flock, Mr. J. W. Dunn, 
of Corpus Christi, Texas, has been satisfactorily sold by 
Messrs. Kitching Bros., of 82 Reade street, city of New 
York, who quote it regularly. Messrs. Justice, Bateman & 
Co., extensive and reliable wool merchants of Philadelphia, 
have recently issued a circular specially on this product, 
which every agricultural paper should publish. They say 
" mohair fleece can be raised in perfection in the United 
States," and they give excellent practical directions for its 
growth and management which every goat raiser should re- 
gard. 

I have also shipped, by freight, several clips to the Farr 
Alpaca Company, of Holyoke, Mass., who have made to me 
positive reports of satisfactory sales, both graded and in 
bulk, giving me also the privilege of re-shipping it to.be 
sold on commission if I preferred. I have also corres- 
ponded with Messrs. Hall & Turner, the proprietors of the 
Jamestown, New York, Alpaca Company, and I am assured 
that shipments may be made to them with like satisfaction. 
These two companies alone would manufacture at least a 
half million pounds of mohair annually, if they could get 
that of American growth and good quality. 

It is scarcely possible that the supply will ever fully 



[223] 

equal the demand for the raw material in this country, 
where both sexes are so fond of fine appearance, and it is 
already rare to meet an elegantly dressed lady or gentleman 
without more or less of this material in their apparel, 
though it is, as yet, chiefly of foreign manufacture. Though 
France, Germany and Scotland all manufacture this pro- 
duct, England takes the lead, and it is said that she engrosses 
two-thirds of all the wool produced, and that she even 
does part of the spinning for the French manufactories 
of it. 

PJREPAEATION OF THE WOOL FOR MAEKET. 

About the 1st of April, in Kentucky, when a somewhat 
fuzzy appearance in the fleece denotes that some of the goats 
begin to shed their wool, they should be well w^ashed with- 
out the use of soap, in clear water (and the warmest acces- 
sible, though not artificially heated), and on a clear and 
sunny day. The males especially require washing, as they 
urinate on their fore legs in the breeding season. It may 
often be dispensed with after a heavy rain, and especially 
with the females and wethers. For this purpose, place a 
hog-scalding box, or other box or trough, near a clear pond 
or stream, and fill with water; submerge the goat to the 
neck in it, two men holding and rubbing. When the wool 
is cleaned of any dirt, and of the old skin which is being 
shed off, stand the goat upon a plank placed across the box, 
and press the wool with the hands, and let the water drain 
for a few minutes. After drying thoroughly for a day or 
two in a clean pasture, they may be shorn like sheep, if 
practicable, cutting off the wool about the ends of the hair, 
which is then growing out among the wool of grade goats. 
It is desirable to get as little as possible of the old skin and 
of the growing hair in the shorn fleece of wool. Each 
fleece should be carefully rolled up separately, outside out, 
and tied up securely and closely with small, fine, colored 
thread or twine. Pack the fleeces closely in a bag which 



[224] 

will contain one hundred and fifty to two hundred pounds, 
and it is ready for market. The feraah? goats should be 
handled with great care, as, in this climate, they are then 
heavy with young. 

THE MARKET VALUE OF MOHAIR. 

The market value of mohair fluctuates considerably with 
fashion and taste for alpaca dress goods, which -Are made 
chiefly of this material, notwithstanding the name. The 
price also sympathizes with the price of fine lustrous wool. 

HOW TO START A FLOCK, AND HOW TO PREPARE THE 
MOHAIR FOR MARKET. 

(From the Courier-Journal.) 

The recent publication in your widely-circulated paper of 
my article on the relative value of sheep and goats as wool- 
bearing animals has brought me very many letters of in- 
quiry from all parts of the country in regard to Angora or 
Cashmere goats (to all of which I have replied), and I now 
wish to give my views as to the cheapest and most practical 
manner of producing a flock of wool-bearing animals, and 
how the wool or mohair can be best put in the market. 

The great obstacle to prompt action in the matter is the 
first cost of a flock, and this obstacle has been greatly over- 
come by recent reduction in price to one hundred dollars 
per pair, instead of one hundred dollars each, the former 
price. The purchaser should then provide himself with 
about fifty select female common goats to be bred to the 
pure buck. These, in small numbers, are scattered all over 
the country, and once could be had near Memphis, Tenn., 
at fifty cents each, and can now be had in Texas and New 
Mexico at that price. The mohair, or fine wool, will be 
thus implanted in the kids of the first crop, but it is not of 
appreciable value, if shorn, as it will be but little longer 
than the native hair of the animals ; though all hair, even 



[225] 

of cattle and hogs, is of some commercial value. The males 
of this first crop should be castrated when young;, and they 
will make (prejudice removed) as acceptable food as hogs or 
sheep, and their hams, when salted and dried, can scarcely 
be distinguished from venison, for which they often pass. 

The pelts of these animals, when grown, will defray all 
the expense of their raising, and there i-; steady market for 
them, many goats being raised in some countries for their 
pelts chiefly. 

By the time the females of the first croj) are two years 
old they should be bred to a pure Angora buck, which most 
probably will have been produced by the pure bred female^ 
purchased at first, and this is the reason why it is best to 
buy such a female at first. The buck at first bought may 
be again bred to the flock of common females, after which 
it will be best to sell or exchange him. The mohair of the 
animals of the second crop will commonly be long enough 
to be shorn above the ends of the hair of the animals, and 
can be sold for more than enough to defray the expense of 
shearing, etc. The similar course should be pursued until 
five crosses have been made, when the animals are called 
full blood, the length of the mohair increasing with each 
successive cross, and the hair disappearing from their fleeces; 
though all of the animals, even the thoroughbred, will wear, 
for two or three months, suits of short, coarse hair, after 
their mohair has been shed or shorn annually in summer. 
By the time four or five or more crosses have been made, 
the animals can scarcely be distinguished from the pure 
bred, and metal tags in the ears of the pure breds should 
be used to distinguish them, though close inspection will 
often disclose some coarse hairs in the fleeces of full bloods. 
In this matter I do not write from speculation, but from 
matured experience, having in this manner, several years 
since, produced a valuable flock, from which, besides fre- 
quent small sales, I sold a small flock, chiefly of mixed 
bloods, for |2,000 cash, and I now have a flock of sixty 
15 



[226] 

grown females, in which are a fair proportion of pure breeds, 
and all are several crosses over full blood. These I am 
about to breed to a very superior buck, either imported by 
Mr. Entichydes from Asia Minor, or is directly descended 
from his imported animals. 

HOW TO PREPAEE MOHAIR AND WHERE TO SELL IT. 

As soon as the weather is warm in the spring, the goats 
will begin to shed their mohair, which may be known by 
fuzzy appearance over their bodies. No time should be lost, 
but as soon as this is perceptible they should be shorn like 
sheep, omitting the long, coarse hair of the beards and tails, 
as they are not of much value from small flocks, or, if shorn 
then, should be packed separately, as also the mane, which 
some goats have. The fleeces of yearling animals should 
also be kept separate, as these are the most valuable, and 
will be more easily graded if the clip is sold according to 
quality. For this reason, also, each fleece should be tied up 
separately outside out, with a small, strong, colored thread. 
All impurities of any sort should have been carefully taken 
from the fleeces before being shorn, but it is not generally 
necessary to wash the animals. In the breeding season the 
bucks urinate on their beards and on the wool of their fore- 
legs, which accounts for the disagreeable odor, and these 
animals may require washing. This operation may be easily 
performed in any pure water, without soap, and without 
heating the water. After being shorn, the animals may re- 
quire housing during any very cold nights or cold rains. 

After shearing, the mohair may be packed in bags of 
convenient size to be handled, and being carefully marked, 
may be safely shipped, by freight, to the East, where it will 
find a ready and remunerative market at any time of the 
year. I have thus experienced for many years, and more 
recently my mohair has been sold on commission by Kitch- 
ing Bros., 82 Reade street, New York; at other times I 



[ 227 ] 

have sent it directly to the Farr Alpaca Company, of Holy- 
oke, Mass., and have always had prompt and fair treat- 
ment. There are several other merchants and manufac- 
tories who deal in mohair, both in New York and Philadel- 
phia,^among the most extensive and reliable of whom are 
Messrs. Justice, Bateman & Co., of 122 Front street, Phila- 
delphia, and I cannot do better, in this connection, than to 
quote a circular which they have recently published on this 
subject, as follows : 

" Mohair fleece can be raised in perfection in the United 
States. We have seen samples from Virginia, Kentucky, 
and California equal to any grown abroad. At the same 
time, we must candidly say no native clip approaches, even 
in skillful culture, the product usually found in the Liver- 
pool market. Those who wish to furnish the combing trade, 
which buys the best material, are advised to follow the 
directions below : Exclude from your flock all animals of 
less than seven- eighths pure blood. Keep the animals 
young, by killing after taking off the third fleece. The 
length and lustre of the fleece may be increased by 
crossing with the Van goat. Select bucks for breeding, 
whose locks maintain their full size to the end of the staple, 
that is, such as are not spiral. The value of fleece is com- 
puted from its length, lustre, quality (fineness of fibre), and 
strength. Keep your flock out of burry pastures. Burs 
frequently cause a loss of ten cents a pound on the product. 
Clip but once a year, as early as practicable ; after the fleece 
begins to shed it loses in value very rapidly. Pack the 
beard, belly, and tail wool separately, also the coarse locks, 
brown ends, and shorts, and send the clear fleece alone to 
the comber." 

These directions are, of course, indended to apply to es- 
tablished flocks, the mohair product being chiefly the object. 
As I am not familiar with the Van goat, I suppose it is 
some variety or family of the Angora, which has not yet 



[228] 

been introduced into this country from Asia Minor, but 
which I will be glad to obtain. 

Allow me, in conclusion, to say a word in vindication of 
the goat, too much abused and shunned on account of his 
breachy habits. These are to be attributed almost entirely 
to his keeping the bad company of careless farmers, who 
keep bad fences, under which he learns bad habits when 
young. I usually keep them in two or three separate flocks,, 
under fences of all kinds (except my hedges of Osage 
orange, which they would eat up), and they are kept as 
securely as any other stock, the stone fences being easily 
fixed to retain them ; and all other stock will sometimes 
break a fence, but a goat never will. 

THE VAN ANGOEA OR CASHMERE GOATS. 
Editor Yeoman: 

The readers of your valuable paper may remember that,^ 
in my article on Angora goats, which you published, allu- 
sion was made to the circular of Messrs. Justice, Bateman 
& Co., of Philadelphia, in which they recommended the 
crossing of the Angora goats of the United States with the 
Van goat of Asia Minor ; and in which they gave, also, 
valuable directions for the production and preparation of 
mohair, or goat^s wool. 

Desiring to avail myself of every valuable improvement 
in breeding these animals, I have instituted inquiries for 
the Van goat, and I have a recent letter from Col. Keene 
Richards, of Georgetown, Ky., in which he informed me 
that, during his extensive travels in Asia Minor, when he 
was selecting and shipping his fast horses, he saw large 
flocks of the Van goat on the borders of Lake Van, be- 
tween Kars and Mosul. Also that he has a fine oil paint- 
ing of a good specimen of one drawn by Mr. E. Troy some 
years since. 

If further developments conduce to show these animals 



[229] 

as superior to all others of their race, I will hope 
to obtain one for crossing on my flock next season. 
At present I am breeding a flock of sixty choice females 
to the superior buck, Ulysses II., of Eutychides' im- 
portation. 

The great decline in the price of sheep's wool since the 
war has not only given to the public taste a strong direction 
to such breeds as are best for the production of wool and 
mutton combined, but also to the breeding of wool -bearing 
goats; and it has been uniformly demonstrated that the 
same feed which will subsist three sheep will also subsist 
five goats of the wool-bearing kind ; and the fleeces of these 
five goats will produce about double the value of the wool 
of the three sheep, while they will also produce more meat 
of equal if not better quality ; and so, also, of their hides, 
and their tallow, and their skins with the mohair on them. 

Although the times are so hard and so repressive of 
everthing new and enterprising, yet I have very many more 
inquiries for goats than ever before; also several proposi- 
tions to breed them on the shares, and I am making some 
valuable sales to various parts of the country. 
Respectfully, etc., 

Robert W. Scott. 
December, 1878. 

GOATS IN TENNESSEE. 

Grassy Cove, Tenn., June 23, 1877. 
J. B. Killebrew, Esq. 

Dear 8ir — Yours of the 2d inst. is at hand. T wrote an 
article for The South in March, which I enclose. I do not 
know as I can write anything much different and do justice 
to the subject. Every month's experience more fully con- 
vinces me that the raising of the Angora goats in the Cum- 
berland Mountains can be made a great success. A flock 
of from 200 to 500 are absolutely less trouble than ten or a 
dozen, as they constitute a community of themselves, and 



[230] 

do not seek the barn and other stock for association, and 
eonsequently are less liable to get in mischief. 

Yours truly, Lorenzo Steatton. 

[From The South.] 

Your letter is at hand, asking for any information, de- 
rived from personal experience, on the subject of Angora 
goat raising on the table-lands of East Tennessee. 

Although it is a little out of my line to write for publi- 
cation, I can, after my style, give you a short history of the 
facts. Two years ago last April I purchased seventy goats;, 
eight of them, four ewes and four bucks, were supposed to 
be full-blood Angoras; thirty were grades or half-bloods;, 
the balance were the common scrub goat of the country. 
The winter previous to my purchase the goats had been 
confined in a small enclosure, improperly fed, and without 
opportunity to help themselves. They were consequently 
in a bad condition ; several of the old ones had died ; be- 
tween fifty and sixty kids had been lost in February and 
March, and it was with some difficulty that I succeeded in 
getting my purchase home alive. But I had a pasture ready 
for them that has proved to be well suited to their wants;: 
it was a mile and a half long by a quarter of a mile wide ; 
that is to say, the pasture reached from the bottom lands a 
quarter of a mile up the mountain, and then extended one 
mile and a half parallel with the mountain and bottom 
lands; it is something over a mile to the top of the moun- 
tain, and my pasture hardly extends a fourth of the way 
up. This side hill is a rich limestone soil, but excessively 
rocky and rough, with ledges and cliffs extending down 
near the middle of the pasture, more than half way across 
it. A flock of Spanish sheep had run in this pasture for 
several years; but the bushes and briers were gaining on 
the sheep, and the acres of clover were growing less and 
less every year. Into this pasture I turned the goats on 
the 9th day of April. Leaves on the briers and bushes 



[231] 

were not yet full size, but sufficiently grown to give the 
surroundings the green and attractive appearance peculiar 
to spring. 

The way the goats went for the briers and bushes demon- 
strated at once that the right kind of stock was in the right 
place. They soon found the cliff of rocks, where there was 
a good shelter from storms and a nice shade from the sum- 
mer sun, and at this place they have made their home, or 
headquarters, ever since; and they were so well suited with 
the place that it was six or eight months before they found 
out that they were surrounded by a fence, for they had not 
yet made a track within fifty rods of either end of the pas- 
ture, having paid their respects exclusively to the briars 
and bushes in their immediate vicinity. But in the second 
year, when the briers and bushes failed them in the pasture, 
they found their way through the fence on the back side, 
and still continue to run on the side-hill above the lot, but 
always come down to the cliffs in the pasture at night. I 
have found these strongly marked differences between sheep 
and goats: 

First. Goats will not feed on clover or other tame grasses 
when they have free access to briers and bushes. Goats 
kept on tame grass and clover pastures, and treated in win- 
ter as Vermonters treat their sheep, do not make a success. 
The goat is a browsing animal, and delights in a warm 
climate and high land. 

Second. Sheep, with good clover and other tame grasses,, 
will not disturb bushes or briers; yet it is quite true that, 
in the absence of tame grasses, sheep will exist on briers^ 
bushes, etc. 

Such being the facts, goats have the preference in the 
Cumberland mountains, for the reason that the tame grasses 
are here in very limited quantities, while the favorite feed 
for the goats is practically without limit, and does not cost 
a penny. The first winter I commenced to feed my goats 
about Christmas, and to the seventy I fed a four-quart 



[232] 

measure of corn every evening until sometime in March. 
The corn was worth 50 or 60 cents per bushel. Say as 
much more for the trouble of feeding them, and you can 
readily estimate the cost of wintering seventy goats. The 
next winter I did not feed them until the 20th of March. 
At this time we had a snow of eight or ten inches that 
lasted three days. I brought the goats to the barn and fed 
them all tlie hay they would eat during the snow. 

This winter snow fell on the eve of the 1st of January a 
foot deep, and laid on a week or ten days; and on New 
Year's day we brouglit the goats to the barn and fed them 
with hay until bare ground appeared, when the goats 
marched off for the mountain, where they have remained 
since, amusing themselves by nipping, browsing and picking 
acorns. 

If the bucks are allowed to run with the flock, there 
would be two crops of kids per year. One crop coming in 
the fall or winter, would require extra care, or many kids 
would be lost. I therefore decided to put the bucks in a 
different lot and keep them separate until the 20th of No- 
vember. The result was, that the first kid I saw was on 
the 21st of April, and within a week I could count between 
fifty and sixty, and there were only forty ewes in the flock, 
the balance being mostly wethers. 

Last spring my flock was increased by seventy-five kids; 
and as I use only the full-blood Angora bucks, the grade 
and quality is improving rapidly, although not of the first 
quality of wool; yet I shall have an hundred goats to shear 
this spring, and another crop of kids. The wool or mohair, 
being mostly from grade goats and not fine enough for top 
prices in the market, we have had it worked up on shares 
for domestic use. 

Within the three years between thirty and forty of the 
wethers have found their way to our table; half as many 
more have been sold to our neighbors, principally for state 
occasions, for the flesh of the Angora or grades is consid- 



[233] 

ered a great delicacy. The skins have been sent to the 
tanner ; so we are eating their flesh, dressing in their fleece, 
and being shod in morocco, with the prospect of gay car- 
pets and kid gloves in the near future — not French kid, or 
rat skin, but genuine Tennessee kid. 

The Cumberland Mountains, or Table-lands, are some- 
thing over one hundred miles long, and have an average 
width of forty miles, interspersed here and there with small 
valleys and coves of great fertility. Such lands, with some 
improvements, are worth from eight to ten dollars per acre ; 
but the mountain proper can be bought at from fifty cents 
to one dollar and a half per acre. It has an elevation suf- 
ficient to temper the heat of summer, and then it is far 
enough south to give us short and mild winters, and is 
proverbially one of the healthiest countries in the United 
States. I have sometimes thought that if some of the peo- 
ple abput New York, and perhaps in other places, that are 
complaining of hard times, and find it difficult to meet city 
expenses, were here, with a flock of goats, they might be 
well fed, well dressed, and well shod, for goat meat can be 
raised inside of one cent a pound, to say nothing of their 
fleece and skins, both of which can be worked upon shares. 
Then, you see, they might dismiss the currency question, 
and let monopolists and bank panics go to the dogs. 

LETTER OF MR. JOSEPH PHILIPS. 

Mr. Joseph Philips, of Davidson county has been very suc- 
cessful in raising Angoras, and he has kindly consented to 
give the State the benefit of his experience in goat raising. 
But it is better that he should speak for himself, which he 
does as follows : 

Though the Angora goat is the last contribution of the 
animal kingdom to the manufacturing and art industries of 
the world, it nevertheless has occupied a place in the primi- 
tive industries and necessities of the nomadic tribes of Cen- 



[234] 

tral Asia prior to the advent of our Savior ou earth, and at 
a remote period anterior to its introduction to its present 
recognized home in Angora, Asia Minor. 

There is an entire absence of any reference to this animal 
as characterized by its long, silken and attractive fleece, by 
any of the earliest classic writers of antiquity, or in that old- 
est of historic monuments, the Bible. The goat is frequently 
mentioned, but no allusion is made to its fleece, hence we 
may infer the long fleece-bearing goat was introduced sub- 
sequently to Asia Minor during some incursion of predatory 
tribes from Central Asia, where we have abundant proof of 
its existence in the exportation of mohair from Chinese ports 
before the exportation of the raw material was permitted 
from Angora. 

The earliest notice we have of the Angora goat is in the 
sixteenth century, and though since known to naturalists as 
possessing a valuable fleece for the manufacture of useful and 
rare textile fabrics, its acclimation in Europe has been but 
feebly tested, and in fact its success in any other clime than 
Angora seems to have been deferred to the enterprise, en- 
ergy and intelligence of Americans, who, with characteristic 
zeal, have imported them in considerable numbers, and are 
now reproducing them with fleeces fully up in fineness, and 
even better, than the clip from imported parents. 

Owing to prohibitory restrictions preventing the exporta- 
tion of these animals until recent years from Angora, 
coupled with the high cost of transatlantic transportation, 
the possession of Angoras has been a privilege enjoyed only 
by a few, and consequently regarded by the masses as an 
exceptional luxury without practical utility or profit. 

The first Angoras imported to the United States, owing to 
fraudulent representations as to the value of the mohair, 
sold for fabulous sums. Buyers of this importation failing 
to obtain a market for the mohair, the interest sickened and 
was finally lost sight of in the more engrossing events of the 
late civil war. 



[235] 

Until a few years since the recollection of the first trans- 
fers of Angoras had operated adversely to the development 
of the interest, and the enterprise was stifled under the con- 
viction that there was no demand or market for mohair. 
Even at the present time, among an intelligent class of wool 
growers in the United States, there is an entire ignorance 
of the existence of mills in New York and other States for 
the conversion of mohair, besides both a domestic and 
foreign demand largely in excess of the annual clip of our 
country. 

The mohair of commerce, strictly the product of the An- 
gora goat, has its individual place in the textile fabrics. 
Though often combined with cotton, wool and silk, it differs 
mainly from wool in the absence of any felting property, 
and on account of its lustre, elasticity, strength and durabil- 
ity, is admirably suited for furniture plushes, and being 
nearly indestructible, is used by nearly all of the railroads. 
It is also used in the manufacture of the finest ladies' and 
men's wear, where brilliancy and last are desired. The 
commercial value of mohair depends on condition, length, 
lustre and fineness, and varies from fifty cents to one dollar 
per pound. 

The Angora crosses readily with the native American 
goat, the fifth cross producing the full blood, which is iden- 
tical in appearance with the pure goat, as well as producing 
a fleece worth the same as mohair from the pure animal. 
Some authorities contend, in crossing the Angora on the 
American or native goat, that the native strain can never 
be eliminated, and will re- appear, notwithstanding the hy- 
brid by each successive cross is constantly approaching, but 
will never attain the type of perfection of the pure Angora. 
These same authorities forget that the natives of Angora 
frequently repair losses in their flocks by crossing the white 
Angora, with its silken ringlets, on the black Hurd goat, 
which, after the third or fourth cross, establishes the type of 
the white Angora. This process of crossing in its mother 



[ 236 ] 

country explains the presence of brown or yellow tinted 
coarse liair that succeeds the annual shedding of the mohair, 
which is in turn shed, and displaced by the mohair on some 
imported animals. 

The facility with which the Angora crosses on the native 
American goat, and the aptitude they possess in acclimation, 
coupled with the boundless territory in the United States 
suited directly and only to the subsistence of goats, all com- 
bined, give an augury of an industry limited only by the 
boundaries of our national possessions, and second to no 
other agricultural interest in revenue and profit. 

The goat is both graminivorous and herbivorous, but when 
left to a choice of food, will subsist entirely on bushes, briers 
and weeds, and on that class of vegetation that serves as an 
impediment to grass, and is rejected by all other stock, and 
will earn his keeping in the service rendered as a vegetable 
scavenger in ridding any farm of briers and bushes. 

By a comparative analysis of the profits arising from 
sheep husbandry and Angora breeding, though I would not 
disparage the sheep interest by advocating a reduction of 
flocks or numbers, still the Angora interest is susceptible of 
indefinite extension without, in any way, molesting the pro- 
duction of wool and mutton. Sheep husbandry, per se, im- 
plies perennial grass and high priced lands, while Angora 
breeding signifies just the reverse — thrives best on lands 
devoid of grass — rocky, brush hill tops, abandoned gully- 
washed fields. The Cumberland mountains, with an alti- 
tude above the fogs and heavy dews, covered with bushes and 
briers for food, and its cliffs and protecting rocks as coverts 
and safe retreats against rain, snow and wintry winds, will, 
at no distant day, be appropriated as the ranch of white, 
silken fleeced Angoras. The amount of capital required in 
starting a flock of 2,000 native ewes with full blood Angora 
bucks, would be small in comparison with an enterprise of 
the same magnitude with sheep. Two herders, with four 
shepherd dogs, would be ample force to manage this num- 



[237] 

ber of goats. As the wild natural subsistence is consumed 
in one locality the range could be changed. Temporary 
shelters facing southward and enclosed on the north and 
west sides as wind screens^ would furnish protection from 
rain and snow. By keeping rock salt in the vicinity of 
these shelters, the goats would return at night from the 
range without the assistance of herders. 

With an experience covering twenty years in breeding 
Angoras, they have -proven universally healthy and free 
from the diseases and contagions that so often decimate 
flocks of sheep. There is but one ailment to which they 
are subject, and that, an inflammation of the hoof, resulting 
from running on grass sod ; this would not occur, or, if so, 
only to a limited extent on rocky, dry ground, free from 
grass. The application of pulverized bluestone in the cleft 
of the hoof, and coal tar afterwards, is a prompt and certain 
remedy. This inflammation lames but seldom ever proves 
fatal, and never when treated in due time. 

The Angora goat probably more than any other domestic 
animal demands freedom and perfect ventilation, and suc- 
cumbs to close confinement in imperfectly ventilated quarters. 
For this reason he is enabled to endure the inclemency of 
winter far better, and will obtain subsistence under circum- 
stances fatal to sheep. 

By nature this goat is organized for high, dry, rocky al- 
titudes; can subsist for a much longer time without water 
than sheep, and this attribute, with his capacity to subsist 
on scant vegetation, suits him for vast areas in the extreme 
West subject to annual visitations of drouth, and unsuited 
to any other industry. There are many portions of Western 
Texas, Arizona, Colorado, New and Old Mexico, whose to- 
pography, climate, temperature and hygrometric conditions 
are the same as the home of the Angora in Asia Minor, and 
where the native Mexican goat can be had by thousands at 
fifty cents a head as a basis for crossing with Angora bucks. 
The mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and North 



238] 

Alabama, as well as the pine woods of Georgia, Alabama, 
Mississippi and Louisiana, are well suited to breeding An- 
goras, the pine woods particularly exempting the young kids 
from danger of extreme cold, which frequently proves fatal 
in more northern latitudes. 

The period of gestation with the Angora goat is from one 
hundred and forty-five to one hundred and fifty days, and 
as they produce but once annually, the period of pregnancy 
should be so arranged as to terminate in early spring, after 
all danger from cold winds and rains has passed, which in 
this State is about April 1st. In States south of Tennessee 
October 1st, and in Tennessee November 1st, is the proper 
time to couple the ewes with bucks. Until young kids 
have suckled they are sensitive to cold, but having once 
nursed their vitality is probably greater than the young of 
any other domestic animal. When three weeks old all 
male kids not needed for sale or for use in the flock should 
be castrated, as the kids are easily taken at this age on the 
range, and the wound is rapidly cicatrized. The wethers, 
if kept until two years old, become fat and command the 
same price as sheep of the same age. 

The flesh of a two year old wether in juiciness, texture 
and delicacy of flavor, is superior to the finest Southdown 
mutton, partaking of the flavor both of mutton and venison, 
and often sold as the former from the butchers' stalls. The 
Angora clips from two to six pounds of mohair, and is finest 
when the animal is one year old, maintaining quite a uniform 
standard of fineness until four years of age, when the quality 
begins to deteriorate, and becomes coarse at eight years old. 
Its age is from eight to twelve years, and death is generally 
the result of superannuation. 

The claims of this animal on the attention of agriculturists 
and stock breeders have been held in abeyance through pre- 
judice, and a want of a proper conception of the uses for 
which nature designed it. Independent of the value of the 
animal for its fleece and flesh, it possesses a mechanical 



[239] 

value in its daily search for food which is the representative 
of so much manual labor economized in the complete de- 
struction of briers and bushes. The Angora goat is the 
only agent outside of hired labor that will serve this purpose, 
and his insatiate appetite for buds and leaves is the motive 
power to his energy, that never tires so long as a bush or 
brier is in sight. 

Col. B. F. Cockrill informs me that he annually expended 
three hundred dollars in cutting blackberry bushes from his 
grass lots until he obtained a flock of Angoras, which have 
entirely cleaned his farm of briers ; his experience is only 
a repetition of my own. 

Joseph Philips. 

Nashville, Tenn., Sept. 2, 1879. 

MANUFACTURE OF GOAT FLEECE. 
(Agricultural Eeport of 1867.) 

Mr. Israel S. Diehl, formerly United States Consul at 
Batavia, Java, was deputed to visit Europe the past year to 
investigate the manufacture of Angora or Cashmere fleeces, 
with reference to its introduction into the United States. 

The acclimation of these goats in this country is an es- 
tablished fact. For several years, in different parts of the 
Union, the Angora goat has been bred, both pure and 
crossed with our native goat. Far from deteriorating by 
the transfer, as had been predicted, it is found that in some 
parts of the country even the unmixed breed of the im- 
ported goats has shown evident signs of improvement re- 
sulting from the change. This branch of pastoral industry 
has begun to assume very considerable prominence, as is in- 
dicated by the fact that during the past year not less than 
$100,000 have been paid for these goats in Ohio alone. 

In order to test the quality of the fleeces produced in this 
country, Mr. Diehl, prior to his departure for Europe, col- 
lected specimens from the different flocks and localities, from 



[240] 

Massachusetts to California, and subsequently compared 
them with foreign fleeces at the Paris Exposition and else- 
where, both in Europe and Asia. His own deliberate 
opinion is that in fineness, delicacy, and beauty, the 
American fleeces were equal, if not superior, to the choicest 
Oriental specimens met with. On the subsequent exhibi- 
tion of these samples at Paris and Roubaix, in France, and 
in London and Bradford, in England, the manufacturers 
expressed the most deliglited surprise at their beauty and 
facility of manipulation, pronouncing them fully equal to 
the best imported Asiatic fleeces. 

It is stated that most of last year's clip was sold on com- 
mission by a single New York house. Three manufactories 
have provided machinery for its experimental manufacture. 
These parties ventured to pay for fleeces, varying from 
three- fourths to pure breed, from fifty cents to one dollar 
and fifty cents per pound. The goats shear from two to 
eight pounds each, according to blood, age, and sire, hence 
it is far more profitable, even at these experimental prices, 
to raise goat's fleece than sheep wool. The establishment 
and extension of this manufacture cannot fail to stimulate 
its increase and secure its permanancy. For combed and 
washed fleece, suited to fancy work, much higher prices 
have already been realized. Skins of yearling wethers, 
from seven-eighths to fifteen- sixteenths pure breed, have 
been sold at eighteen dollars apiece. 

Having ascertained our manufacturing deficiencies, Mr. 
Diehl next visited the Paris Exposition, where he directed 
his attention to the fabrics of various kinds of goat's fleece. 
He was astonished and delighted at the extent, rarity, deli- 
cacy and exquisite beauty of the specimens contributed by 
the looms of Asia Minor, India, France, England, Ger- 
many, and other countries represented in this department of 
the Exposition. These manufactures consisted of shawls, 
camlets, challis, mohairs, poplins, velvets, delaines, hosiery, 
yarns, gowns, robes, rugs, fur-trimmings, tapels, etc. Some 



[2411 

of them were made of pure goat's fleece, and others of the 
fleece mixed with wool, cotton, sili^s, and other fibres, im- 
parting to these compounds a luster, strength, and durability 
which no other fibre except silk will secure. Nearly every 
nation represented at the Exposition presented some beauti- 
ful manufactures of goat's fleece. India, England, France, 
and Austria, seemed to excel in the more delicate fabrics, 
while Turkey exhibited the greatest variety and richness of 
the raw material. - 

In England the manipulation of this staple is practically 
monopolized by a few parties, who appear adverse to im- 
parting any information in regard to the manufacture and 
sale of their fabrics. 

The fleece manufactured in England is mainly produced 
in Asia Minor from the Angora goat. It is imported to the 
extent of 3,000,000 pounds per annum, and is known in 
commerce by the name of mohair. 

Messrs. Hughes & Honald, wool brokers of Liverpool, 
in a recent report, thus speak of this Angora fleece : 

" The importation of mohair is of comparatively recent 
<late. It is scarcely a quarter of a century since it was in- 
troduced into this country. It was for some time chiefly 
used for the list ends of wollen cloths, and commanded but 
little attention, but for some years past it has been greatly 
gaining in favor for the fancy trade, and has now become an 
article of considerable importance, our annual import being 
3,000,000 pounds weight. It is particularly adapted for 
damasks, velvet for coach-linings and curtains, and ladies^ 
dresses, mixed with cotton and silk, and produces a most 
agreeable texture. A large quantity of the yarn spun in 
this country is exported to France and Germany, where it is 
chiefly manufactured into velvet. The fashion has this year 
run very much upon mohair for ladies' dresses, and every 
thing on the spot has been bought up for home consump- 
tion." 

16 



[ 242 ] 

The supply of Angora fleece in Asia Minor is limited and 
precarious; access to it is both difficult and dangerous from 
the jealousy of the government and the barbarous bigotry 
of the people ; hence, English and continental manufac- 
turers are looking to the Cape of Good Hope, Australia,, 
the United States, and South America for an increased pro- 
duction of this staple to meet their necessities. The value 
of this entire interest would be enormously enhanced by 
the opening of an adequate and permanent source of 
supply. 

In Europe the fleece is spun into yarn, mostly in 
England, or at Boubaix, in France, thence distributed over 
Europe for manufacture into cloth. The excellence of the 
yarn spun in England and Boubaix is due partly to superior 
skill, partly to peculiar and improved machinery, and partly 
to natural and artificial humidity of the atmosphere. 

From very transparent motives the process of spinning 
has been represented by those in the interest of the monop- 
oly as very expensive and difficult, nay, even a profound 
secret, known only to those now engaged in the business; 
but these representations were flatly contradicted by the 
exhibitions at Paris of a great variety of machinery for 
carding, scrubbing, spinning, and weaving the tiptik or 
Angora fleece. This machinery, purporting to have been 
made largely in Bradford and Roubaix, two great seats of 
yarn production, entirely exploded the assumption. 

The delicate processes of modern machinery surpass even 
the quaint and exquisite skill of oriental operatives, while 
in accuracy of design and cheapness of execution there is a 
still greater difference. This enables the European manu- 
facturer to purchase the raw material of Asia Minor, to pay 
export and import duties, and then undersell the Asiatic 
fabric, forstalling its entire western market. 

Mr. Diehl visited Angora, and examined the looms and 
processes of manufacture in use among the natives. These 
he found to be exceedingly crude and simple. The fleece 



[243] 

is first taken to a running stream, where it is washed by- 
hand and trampled under foot in the water. It is then 
spread upon the sand to dry and bleach, after which it is 
assorted according to fineness, length, and purity. It is 
then hackled on a simple, old-fashioned hackle, consisting 
of a few dozen long iron nails driven through a board. 
After hackling, the fleece is placed in bundles or rolls and 
spun into yarn, mostly by the women and children. For 
this purpose a common distaff is used, or a stick from twelve 
to eighteen inches in length, with cross pieces, rendering it 
about equivalent to a large spool. It is then ready for the 
loom. This instrument in Angora is of the simplest and 
rudest construction, and of the same unvarying type that 
has been used by countless generations. Asiatic industry is 
frugal in labor-saving processes. When once machinery is 
brought to such a degree of efficieney as to render it barely 
possible for an unlimited amount of labor to supplement 
and supply its deficiencies, no further improvement is made. 
Men then subject themselves, their minds, and muscles to a 
training which makes them almost a part of the machines 
they operate. Caucasian mind seeks to emancipate itself 
from all unnecessary labor by transferring it to machinery, 
thus leaving the mental faculty free for intellectual labor. 
Each of its tasks it devolves successfully upon inanimate 
matter, while it continually ascends to higher results. But 
this function of intelligence seems to be entirely ignored by 
Asiatic mind and Asiatic art. 

The manufacture of Cashmere, camels' hair, and other 
shawls, once so flourishing in Asia, is greatly impaired, and 
in many places entirely discontinued. But few of the once 
famous Cashmere shawls have been manufactured since the 
rise of the fatal competition of Lyons, Paris, Paisley, 
Vienna, and other manufacturing centers of Europe. Cau- 
casian capital and skill, aided by the elaborate contrivances 
of machinery, can now produce at much lower prices fabrics 



[244] 

as delicate and beautiful as the famous Cashmere shawls, 
though, doubtless, not so durable. 

The immediate introduction of this shawl-weaving into 
the United States is, perhaps, impracticable, though its final 
success here is but a question of time. The obstacles to be 
overcome are lack of skilled labor, of machinery, and of 
an active home demand for fabrics of goats' fleece.* 

* Since the above article was written, ten years ago, a demand has 
sprung up, and will continue to increase. The present fashion of ladies' 
dresses requires a description of so-called clinging fabrics, for the manu- 
facture of which the Angora fleece is peculiarly adapted, and we are in- 
formed that a number of factories have already been established in the 
eastern States for that purpose, and some of our intelligent farmers are 
availing themselves of the opportunity to diversify their industries by 
raising these goats, as will be seen from several letters from them, which 
we publish in connection with this subject. 



APPENDIX. 



APPENDIX. 



LETTERS FROM PROMINENT SHEEP RAISERS. 



FROM TOM CEUTCHFIELD, ESQ., HAMILTON COUNTY. 

-J. B. KixiiEBREW, Commissioner of Agriculture, etc. 

Dear Sir— Yon ask me, for the use of your bureau, my experience in 
sheep husbandry, and such suggestions as I may see proper to make. I 
would much prefer some one more competent and of greater experience 
than I, had been called upon. 

My first practical experience with sheep commenced in 1864, since 
when and up to the present time I have given it more than ordinary at- 
tention, having found it not only a great pleasure in conjunction with 
other duties of the farm, but also one of greater profit in proportion to the 
capital invested, than anything else pertaining to the farm. 

I had been accustomed to the native sheep of Tennessee, had never seen 
any of the improved breeds, and well remember my astonishment when I 
first saw the massive Cotswolds at Laurel Hill, the beautiful home of 
■James P. Johnson, of Williamson county, from whom I made my first 
purchase of Cotswolds. 

In 1864 I purchased a lot of native ewes, and was fortunate in getting 
the use of a superior Spanish Merino ram, bred by E. Peters, of Atlanta, 
•Georgia, to cross upon them, which cross gave great improvement in car- 
cass, form and fleece, covering the naked places of the natives, and making 
the fleece much more dense and the fibre finer and stronger. 

I saved the ewe lambs of this cross, and bred them to an improved 
Kentucky buck, bred by Eobert W. Scott, of Frankfort, Ky., which in- 
creased the size of carcass and gave greater length and yield of wool. 

The ewe lambs of his get were bred to the Cotswold buck bought from 
James P. Johnson, and I have continued to breed to the best Cotswold 
buck I could procure, American breed and imported, never using one 
buck longer than two years, and never breeding in-and-in. In the mean- 
time I have added to my flock American bred and imported Cotswold 
-ewes at heavy cost, breeding them to the same bucks. 



[ 248 ] 

The imported and American bred Cotswolds and their oiFspring are not 
superior either in carcass or fleece to those of my own breeding, I clipped 
samples of wool from Prince of Wales, an imported English bred buck, 
and also from a ewe of my own breeding which, through several genera- 
tions, could be traced back through the Merino cross to the native. I sent 
these samples to my wool merchants in Boston, Mass., with history of the 
wool, and requested theii' opinion of the wool on its merits. They pro- 
nounced the ewe's wool superior to the buck's! It was equally as good 
combing, about eighteen inches long, was of finer and stronger fibre, soft 
to the touch, attributable to the shade of Merino in it. 

The effects of the cross to the Spanish Merino in fineness and softness of 
fibre and density of fleece and strength of staple remain for many genera- 
tions. I cull my ewes annually at shearing time, marking all that are 
deficient in form or fleece, or that are becoming aged, and set them apart 
with the wethers for mutton, which are sold the following spring, after 
taking from them their fleece, they commanding a better price than ordi- 
nary sheep, because they gross less and are better mutton. 

I sold a lot last spring (fatted principally on grass) to the butchers of 
Chattanooga, that averaged 166f lbs. gross, having clipped an average of 
10| lbs. of nice combing wool, which sold at S7^- cents per lb. The price 
received for them was 6 cents per lb. gross, netting me $14 per head, while 
the market for ordinary mutton was 4 cents. They grossed less than one- 
third, and were sold for 15 cents per lb. net, and, like Oliver Twist, " the 
ci-y was for more." (And here, by way of parenthesis, allow me to say 
tliat all improved stock, hogs, cattle, etc., will give like results over the- 
scrub.) 

I never breed in-and-in, its effects tell more rapidly and surely upon, 
sheep than upon any other stock. 

The buck is allowed to go to the ewes about the middle of August, and 
is taken from them in November or December. The buck should not be 
allowed to run with the ewes after they are impregnated or while they are 
lambing, as there is danger of miscarriage by his injuring them. If a 
ewe miscarries or loses a lamb after mature birth, she will usually let the 
buck serve her again in a week or two after such loss, and sometimes 
when the ewe is nursing she will be served by the buck, which causes 
lambs to be dropped at unseasonable times, keeping the ewe in poor con- 
dition and difiicult to keep through the winter, with a delicate lamb and 
loss of lamb from her the next spring. 

The ewe lambs should not be bred until a year old past. It checks 
their growth and weakens their constitution. 

In Tennessee we have a wonderful diversity of soil, climate, locality 
and pasturage. In East Tennessee we have the hills and mountains, an 
almost inexhaustible summer range, with locality elevated and dry, with 
never-failing streams of pure water, also the productive valleys, river and 
creek bottoms, with their rich meadows. In Middle Tennessee we have- 



[249] 

the blue-grass region, equal to Kentucky, furnishing good grazing almost 
the year round. The breed of sheep that would be suited to one locality- 
might not be suited to another In selecting a breed for any locality we 
should take into consideration feed, climate and surrounding circum- 
stances, with market facilities and demand for the mutton or wool, or 
both. We should then use that breed which will give the greatest net 
value of marketable products. 

In Middle Tennessee, especially the blue-grass region, the large im- 
ported English breeds, giving heavy carcass and great yield of wool, can 
be more successfully and profitably bred and reared than in any other- 
portion of the State, unless in special localities where they can be given 
rich pasturage similar to that furnished by the blue-grass of Middle Ten- 
nessee. 

No one breed of sheep combines all the good qualities, hence the many 
crosses that have been made, not only with all the imported English 
breeds, but also at home with our own natives. I believe it is a matter 
of experience with sheep breeders that the most profitable sheep are those 
of cross-breed races. 

By the breeder breeding for a specific purpose, as Bakewell, of the 
Dishly farm, did in producing the improved Leicester; as Eobt. W. Scott, 
of Fi-ankfort, Ky., did in producing the improved Kentucky ; as has been 
done in breeding to produce the Oxfordshire, Hampshire and Shropshire- 
Downs— all, even the Cotswolds, have been refined by the mixtures of 
other blood. Originally they were bred only on the headwaters of the 
rivers Severn and Thames, and were a very large, coarse sheep They 
have boen extensively crossed with the Leicester or Bakewell, diminishing 
their size and fleece, but improving their carcass and rendering it earlier 
of maturity, giving to their fleece the lustre that it did not originally pos- 
sess, and at the same time detracting from its density. 

The improved breeds from the States are being shipped to Colorado, 
California, New Mexico, etc., to cross upon the natives there. So we of 
Tennessee, with our great diversity of soil, climate, etc., by judicious 
crosses upon our natives, can furnish a counterpart, at little cost, for every 
race of sheep valuable for its fleece or mutton, if we give our time and at- 
tention to such as may be suited to each locality. 

Probably nine-tenths of the sheep of Tennessee are natives — scrubs — 
yielding about two pounds of wool, and of mutton, gross, about sixty 
pounds. These, of themselves, are of but very little benefit to the owner 
or to the revenue of the State; but as a basis upon which to build, by 
using improved males, they can be made, with very little cost, a great 
source of revenue to the owner and to the State. 

In my judgment, by using the native ewes of fair size, good shape and 
robust constitution as a base, and crossing upon them the Spanish Merino 
buck, saving the ewe lambs of such cross and breeding them to the Cots- 
wold buck, we can produce a breed of sheep healthier and better suited. 



[250] 

to our climate, soil and pasturage than any of the improved breeds, yield- 
ing as much mutton in carcass, and as great a quantity of wool. A cross 
of Merino and Cotswold would result similarly, but would not utilize the 
great number of natives. A cross direct of the Cotswold and natives is a 
vast improvement, getting rapidly to the large carcass and great yield of 
wool ; but without the Merino cross, the density of fleece, fineness and 
softness of fibre imparted by it cannot be attained. 

It is of the utmost importance that those breeding either of full bloods 
or crosses should select the best of rams. A good Merino ram bred to the 
native ewe adds one hundred per cent, to the yield of wool, and greatly to 
the carcass in symmetry of form and fattening qualities. Nor is this all: 
the half-bloods are worth double their dams, and can be used as a basis 
of still higher and greater improvement by the use of the large carcass, 
long-wooled rams, which cross will greatly increase the weight of carcass 
and double the yield of wool. When the number of lambs produced by 
one ram is taken into consideration, and when it is seen over what an im- 
mense extent, even in his own direct offspring, his good or bad qualities 
are to be perpetuated, how obvious, then, that none but the best bucks 
should be selected! How important, then, that every scrub ram in the 
State should be exterminated, and his place supplied with one of the im- 
proved breeds. 

In a few years the natives would become extinct, and in their stead we 
should have a breed of sheep yielding from twice to four times the quan- 
tity of wool, and of a superior quality, aside from the great increase of 
mutton in carcass. 

Some may say that the expense of procuring an improved buck is 
greater than they can bear. If they are able to own a flock of sheep, they 
are able to own an improved buck. It would be money saved to give half 
an ordinary flock of natives for an improved buck. The increase of wool 
alone (not taking into consideration the increased value of the lambs of 
the first year's get by an improved buck) would pay for him, and every 
clip after that, with the increase of lambs, is that much gained. 

The Commissioner of Agriculture for the State of Georgia reports the 
annual profit on capital invested in sheep at sixty-three per cent. Ten- 
nessee ought to do equally as well — in fact, better, for in Georgia the im- 
proved bi'eeds will not succeed as well as in Tennessee. 

DISEASES. 

With proper change of pasturage and keeping the sheep away from 
low, moist ground, they are comparatively free from disease. 

If sheep are kept up, it is better to have their pastures divided into two 
or more lots, and let them occupy one portion two or three weeks, and 
then cliange to another. The change is of great importance to secure 
health and necessary variety of food. There are certain pungent plants 
and weeds which sheep are very fond of, and wiiich seem necessary to 



[251] 

their health, for which they will leave the best of grasses to feed upon, 
which become exhausted in permanent pastures. 

Salt and shade should be constantly accessible. During the summer 
months they feed early in the morning and late in the evening, and, 
during moonlight nights, late into the night. They resort to the same 
sheltering places of shade and rest day after day, which become very foul 
and injurious, unless kept covered with litter or cleared off. 

In the months of June and July they are very much annoyed by the 
gad -fly depositing its egg in the nostril of the sheep. The discharge from 
the nostril caused by the larva of the fly is frequently called "the rots." 
Though very annoying io the sheep, it is not a disease. The grub is 
found in the heads of most all sheep. A similar grub is found in the 
head of the deer, deposited by the buck-fly. By a copious and oft-repeated 
application of tar to the nose of the sheep, during the months of June and 
July, the fly is less troublesome, being repelled by the tar. 

I have lost a few sheep by "staggers," "turnsick," etc., properly hydatid 
on the brain, by allowing the sheep to range upon low, wet, spongy lands. 
By removing them at once the disease ceased. 

By changing from dry food or short pasturage to rich, succulent pas- 
turage, and especially to rank clover pasture, I have had my sheep to 
scour badly. I have never failed to conti-ol it by removing to a shorter 
pasture, or feed a fevv days upon dry food, hay, oats, etc. 

They should not be sheared in spring until all danger of cold has 
passed. After the loss of their fleece they are very liable to take cold, 
which results in a cough and discharge from the nostril, and frequently 
in the loss of the sheep. 

They should never be sheared in the fall. They need their warm coat, 
as well as man, to protect them through the winter. They should have 
open shelters, accessible at all times, to protect them from severe storm.'^. 

I have never seen a case of foot-rot, which is a disease of the foot. I 
have frequently had my sheep to get quite lame in their fore feet, but 
upon examination found that the lameness was caused by breaking of tlie 
hoof, and not unfrequently a small chip or stick would get into the cleft 
of the hoof, which, by constant irritation, would make a sore and create 
lameness. Sometimes, after rains, the mud which would be forced into 
the cleft while soft, would harden, and by chafing, produce lameness; by 
simply removing the cause, the lameness would soon be gone. If, at 
shearing time, a little pains be taken to trim the foot, much of this would 
be avoided. 

When the bucks and ewes are placed together for the purpose of breed- 
ing, the tail and the buttocks of the ewes, and the wool from the belly of the 
buck, should be cleanly trimmed. A neglect of this, especially with the 
long-wooled breeds, frequently results in loss of impregnation of the ewe, 
and a weakening of the buck by a discharge in the clotted wool of the 
belly of the buck or buttock of the ewe. 



[252] 

The lambs should be docked (tails cut off) when a few days old. It 
improves the appearance of the sheep, and prevents much trouble when 
purging takes place, which, if allowed to remain, in warm weather will 
be blown by the fly and filled with maggots, which, if neglected, will 
spread over the body of the sheep, resulting in death. 

I mark my lambs when a year old, at shearing time, using Dana'a 
patent label, by the numbers. I can keep their ages and their breeding 
correctlv. 



If annoyed with sheep ticks (about two weeks after shearing, the ticks 
will all leave the older sheep and go to the lambs), by dipping the lamb 
in a solution prepared of Buchan's carbolic sheep dip, you destroy not 
only the tick but the eggs. 

BUTCHERING. 

Many persons do not eat mutton because of the peculiar sheepy odor 
and taste sometimes found in the mutton, and attribute it as being due to 
the contact of the wool with the meat. This is a mistake. The true 
c.iuse of this taste or odor lies in the delay of disemboweling the carcass. 
If the intestines are allowed to remain until the pelt is removed, the 
gasses emitted from them are disseminated through the flesh, which causes, 
tiie objectionable taste or odor. Disembowel the carcass at once, before the 
pelt is removed. Or, as soon as the throat of the animal is cut, having it 
tied up by the hind feet with its head hanging down, cut a hole between 
the hind quarters, and fill the body at once ivith cold water; then take the pelt 
off at your leisure, and remove the entrails, and you will have none of 
that disagreeable odor. 

HOVi^ TO MAKE WOOL UNIFORM. 

One thing of which I thought, but it escaped me at the proper time, is 
this: The sheep should be kept in uniform condition to produce good 
wool. If the condition of tne sheep is kept uniform, the wool will be uni- 
form. If the sheep are allowed to grow poor and then suddenly fatted, 
or vice versa, the staple of the wool will change in the same way. With 
combing wool, it injures it materially, as where the weak places are it 
gives way, destroying its value as combing wool. Fat sheep make fat 
wool. Wool from sheep kept in good, uniform condition, will be uniform 
throughout, and the yield from the same sheep greater, longer, stronger 
and heavier, having more yolk. 

In writing, I endeavored to give you my idea, and the reasons for it, of 
the best sheep for Tennessee, as a whole, and at the same time utilize the 
natives, which are now comparatively woi-thless. There are breeders of 
the Downs — Southdowns, Shropshiredowns, Oxfordshiredowns, etc., etc. 
For a medium wool and high-flavored mutton, these sheep are exceed- 



[253] 

ingly valuable, but for wool and mutton combined, where carcass also is 
desired, the cross I have mentioned I think is decidedly pi-eferable. 

Sheep sometimes shed their wool, and I have heard old farmers attrib- 
ute it to feeding them corn. Such is not the true cause. Any sudden 
■change — if suddenly fatted from poverty, or allowed to become rapidly 
thin from good flesh, they will shed their wool. If from any cause they 
are sick, causing them to have fever, as from garget, swelled udder, caused 
by loss of lamb, they will shed their wool. 

I said nothing about feeding or grazing ; every one will control that to 
suit himself; nor as to the dogs, which is the greatest obstacle of all to 
successful and profitable sheep-raising. The more we can get interested 
in sheep, the fewer friends the dog will have. 

The following essay, also written by Mr. Crutchfield, 
though going over some of the same ground, is well worthy 
a place in this treatise : 

Gentlemen of the Stock-breeders^ Association : 

Your president, Mark S. Cockrill, has done me the honor to impose 
upon me the duty of preparing an essay on Sheep Husbandry in Tennes- 
see, to be read before your convention. I would have much preferred 
that the duty should have fallen upon some one more competent to do 
justice to the subject, and of greater experience than T have. 

As farmers and breeders of live stock, we owe to each other our expe- 
rience in our various vocations that we may each reap the benefit of the 
other's experience. This interchange of opinion can better be attained 
through organized associations of farmers and breeders, like that of the 
Stock Breeders' Association, and through the agricultural press, to which 
we all ought to be, if we are not, subscribers and contributors. 

Sheep husbandry had its origin co-existent with man, and has co-ex- 
tended with him through all the various ages to the present time. It is 
not, however, with its ancient history that we have now to do, only in so 
far as it assists us in tracing back the breeding of the many species or va- 
rieties of the present generation, and accepting those best suited to our 
purposes. 

Strictly speaking, there is no sheep indigenous to our continent, unless 
it be the Eocky Mountain sheep, and that, I believe, partakes more of the 
nature of the goat than the sheep. The sheep most numerous with us, 
called the Native, or the Scrub, are of foreign origin, brought over to this 
country by our ancestors from different portions of Europe, each bringing 
the favorite breed of their immediate district, and from them sprang the 
race of sheep now known as Natives. 

From no care at all in breeding, except to let them breed indiscrimi- 
<nately among themselves, without any regard to improvement, their type. 



[254] 

as a breed, is as well fixed as any of the carefully bred European breeds; 
they can be selected from any other breed by the most casual observer. 
This is the breed of whicli probably nine-tentlis of the sheep of the State 
are composed, and rhis being the fact, it must be the basis upon which all 
improvement must be made, so as to utilize what we now have. Now, 
how shall this improvement be made? Simply by using upon our native 
ewes rams of the long-established and improved breeds. We have of 
these, bred by our own breeders, to select from, the Merino, the South- 
down, Shropshiredown, Oxfordshiredown, Leicester, Cotswold, etc. 

Each breeder must determine for himself what improvement he desires, 
or for what purpose he shall breed — whether for wool alone, and if for 
wool alone, whether fine, medium or combing wool; or whether for wool 
and mutton combined, or for mutton alone, or for whatever purpose he 
may desire, and select the breeding ram accordingly, and breed continu- 
ously for the purpose desired. I am of opinion tliat the best general-purpose 
sheep we have are from careful selections and judicious crosses. Witness 
the improved Leicester, Cotswolds, Shropsliiredowns and Oxfordshire- 
downs. And even with the Merino and Southdown there are many shades 
brought about by the peculiar fancy of the different breeders, breeding 
for ditierent and specific purposes. It is trud these breeds have become 
perfect breeds within themselves, and j'et none of them combining all 
that may be desired. 

Beyond doubt, the Merino is the most ancient race of sheep now exist 
ing v/ith us, and is probably more diffused throughout the world than any 
other breed of sheep, having been used advantageously in crossing upon 
breeds of localities, soils and climates different to that from whence it 
originally came, occupying prominent position over both continents and 
on the isles of the seas. Next probably in the purity of their breeding 
is the Southdown, which has existed for centuries in England, and their 
kindred races, the Shropshire and Oxfordshire Downs — crosses of the 
Down family with the larger, long-wooled breeds, which are of more 
recent oi-igin. Then we have the long-wooled breeds, Leicester, Lincoln 
and Cotswold. Mr. Spooner, in speaking of the Cotswold, says, " they 
were formerly bred only on the hills, and fatted in the valleys of the 
rivers Severn and Thames, but afterwards in the Cotswold Hills of Eng- 
land," from which I presume they take their name. The Cotswold have 
been greatly refined and improved from their original state by judicious 
crosses with other long-wooled breeds, principally the Leicester. This 
breed of sheep, the Leicester or Bakewell, some writers say, were originally 
of the Lincolnshire breed, noted for the quantity of their wool and 
coarseness of their mutton. Mr. Bakewell, of the Dishly farm, England, 
by judicious selections and a steady adherence to certain principles of 
breeding — breeding for a specific purpose — perfected what is known as the 
improved or new Leicester, which ranks very high among the long-wooled 
bx-eeds of England and America. Robert W. Scott, near Franhfort, Ken- 



[255] 

tucky, originated a breed of sheep, known as the Improved Kentucky, 
very much ap Mr. Bake well did the Leicester, and produced a sheep very 
similar to the Leicester. 

I am of opinion, and that opinion is predicated upon a practical expe- 
rience of over twelve years, that the breeder can breed in sheep just what 
he desires. In Tennessee, with our great diversity of soil, climate, pas- 
turage, etc., by judicious crosses upon our natives, we can furnish a coun- 
terpart for every race of sheep valuable for its fleece or mutton, if we 
give our time and attention to the breeding of such as may be desired or 
suited to each locality and for each purpose. Some may prefer medium 
wool and carcass, with superior mutton of high flavor— these would prob- 
ably select, to improve their flocks, some of the Down family. I believe 
this race of sheep is considered superior in the quality of their mutton to 
all other breeds. As the partridge, quail, etc., are to birds, and the trout, 
salmon, etc., are to fish, so is the Down to mutton. 

Others who prefer a large carcass, quantity without especial regard to 
quality, and a great yield of wool, will select some of the long-wooled 
breeds. Others, who prefer finer wools and a medium carcass, will select 
some of the Merino breeds. 

As a general thing in Tennessee, it is not so much the quality as the 
quantity of of carcass desired ; very little difference, except in especial 
localities, is made in the quality of mutton, just so that it is in good con- 
dition, and the larger the carcass the greater the profit. 

Many breeders, particularly in Middle Tennessee, rely for a portion of 
their profits upon eaily lambs for Northern markets — the lambing season 
(from November to February), on account of our mild climate, being 
months in advance of our less favored Northern borders, enables our 
breeders to get the cream of the market. 

This branch of sheep husbandry has been very remunerative to those 
breeders who have adopted it, breeding the comparatively inexpensive 
native ewes to come of the imported English breeds. In my portion of the 
State — East Tennessee — with the line of railroads that we now have, by 
which we can reach the markets of Washington, Baltimore, Philadelphia 
and New York, and with the road now in course of construction, and soon 
to be completed — the Cincinnati Southern Railway — connecting Cincin- 
nati with Chattanooga by one line af road, certainly gives to that portion 
of the State, for this branch of the industry, market facilities unequalled. 
A car-load of lambs could be transported from Chattanooga to Cincinnati 
in twenty hours, and from there could be distributed to the markets offer- 
ing the greatest inducements. This line of railway is, for ninety miles, 
at the base of Walden's Ridge, thence crosses the Cumberland Mountain, 
through Tennessee, into Ken tuckj, bringing at once into easy access to 
markets the great table-lands of the Cumberland Mountain and Walden's 
Eidge, (which is a spur of the Cumberland), where, in time, will be the 
finest sheep-walks in the world. This road will also open up to the mar- 



[256] 

kets of the world the vast deposit of minerals along its line so long lying 
dormant, new mines will be opened and worked, new manufacturing es- 
tablishments built, giving employment to thousands, and furnishing a 
home market for the products of the country. 

But to return : Whatever course may be determined on by the breeden 
the utmost importance should attach to the selection of the ram to be 
bred to, for in the purity of his blood is represented the improved type 
that is desired. The purer the blood of the ram the more strongly will 
his characteristics overcome the subsequent mixture of breeds, and im- 
print themselves upon his ofi'spring. Then in selecting the ewes to breed 
from, avoid as much as possible any defects you wish to obliterate, select- 
ing ewes of the best form, size and constitution. It has been aptly illus- 
trated by a writer on this subject, as " in giving motion to a projectile (for 
instance, a cannon ball), the velocity obtained is not merely in propor- 
tion to the propelling force, but also to the resistance of the medium 
through which the body is driven." Now in this instance the ram would, 
represent the propelling force, the ewe that of resistance, since if there 
were no obstacle on^her side the complete effect would be realized by the 
faithful reproduction of the improving type. Clearly, therefore, the in- 
fluence of the ram upon the offspring will be the stronger, the purer, and 
more ancient in the first place that his own race may be, and in the next 
place the less resistance is offered by the ewe through the possession of 
those qualities of purity and long descent which are so valuable in the 
sire. But after all care and diligence may have been used in the proper 
selection of rams and ewes to improve the breed, ill results, and probably 
failure, will follow, unless a like improvement in keep and management 
accompanies. The great improvement of the English breeds, to which we 
must resort for the impi-ovement of our breeds, is greatly due to their ex- 
cellent management and keep. Proper attention to the selection of rams 
and ewes, and an annual culling of the flock, which is best done at shear- , 
ing time, when any deficiency may be detected, and the defective ewe 
naarked for the mutton pen, culling out and disposing of the less perfect 
ewes, and keeping only what can be well cared for, properly sheltered if 
needed, and provided with good pasturage or feed, and good management 
have given to others their improved breeds, and will give to us ours. 

Tennessee, by the census of 1870, had about 800,000 sheep, producing 
about two pounds of wool per head, or 1,600,000 pounds. If these sheep 
were half-breeds of any of the improved breeds, the yield of wool would 
be at least double, or four pounds per head, or an increase of 1,600,000 
pounds, which, at 20 cents per pound, would gain to the producer $320,- 
000, and in a short time, by proper breeding, as indicated, could be in- 
creased to an average of six pounds per head, or an increase of 3,200,000 
pounds, which at 20 cents, would gain $640,000. 

Probably one-half of these sheep are sold or consumed annually for 
-mutton, estimating them to average in weight 60 pounds, and to sell at 2 



[257] 

cents pel- pound, would bring $480,000. Now the use of the improved 
rams would increase the carcass fifty per cent., or to 90 pounds each, and 
the value of the mutton fifty per cent., or at 3 cents per pound, giving a 
gross income of $1,080,000, or a gain in mutton alone of $600,000 — thus 
you would have an increase to the revenue of the farmers and breeders of 
sheep from wool and mutton alone, about one and one-fourth million of 
dollars, and that witiioiit adding one sheep to the flucks of the State — 
enough to pav the current expenses of the State and tlie interest on her 
bonded debt al the acale. 

In making these estimates I have placed them far below tlie actual 
weights and sales of imported mutton sheep. My own mutton sheep, the 
past season, averaged 166f pounds, (nearly double the estimated weight). 
After clipping lOf each of wool, which sold for STi cents, nearly double 
the estimate on wool, and the mutton sold for 6 cents per pound, just 
double the estimated price. 

Increase the number of sheep improved, to the capacity of the State, 
a,nd give to the sheep raiser proper protection by law, and the beneficial 
results would be almost incalculable. In one sense of the word, sheep 
husbandry may be classed among the smaller industries of the State, be- 
cause it is so economical in all its bearings, and so little capital is required 
to engage in it, even on an extensive scale. Yet in the aggregate it is, or 
ought to be, one of the greatest industries of the State. The small amount 
of money that can be put into sheep husbandry by any one persom, suffi- 
cient to stock their farms, is one of the principal objections urged against 
it by men of capital — while they admit that there is no live stock, which 
the farmer handles, which pays a better dividend, in proportion to the 
capital invested, than sheep, yet the income, in the aggregate, is too small. 
Herein is where the profit of sheep luisbandry will be to the masses of the 
farmers of the State. With very little outlay of money each farmer can 
add to his live stock as many sheep aS he may desire, or can properly 
handle in conjunction with the other duties of his farm, " iiere a little 
and there a little" will the profits accrue, each sharing his portion, and 
the industry will be so greatly diversified there will be the greater assur- 
ance of protection. 

Our Supreme Court, although some of our Judges held to a contrary 
opinion, decided against the constitutionality of the dog-law, which was 
one of the best laws ever enacted by the Legislature, and although it has 
been repealed, and it was in force but a very short time, its good effects in 
ridding the State of many worthless dogs, and the saving of sheep was 
great, and is still manifest, without saying any thing ^x>ut two hundred 
thousand dollars or more that was paid into the State Treasury from this 
canine luxury. 

Tlie farmers of the State should not rest until they get protection by 
law fortius industry. Within my knowledge parties from the jSTorthern 
States, who want to come to Tennessee and engage in sheep husbandry on 

17 



[258] 

a large scale, are deterred from doing so alone from fear of the dogs. 
Some protective laws can be enacted that will be constitutional. As the 
law now is, any one is liable to the owner for killing any straggling dog. 
A law giving the right to kill, without liability, any trespassing dog, 
would be a good step in the right direction, and assist materially in the 
protection of sheep 

As will be seen by reference to the breeders' directory of our agricultu- 
ral papers, we have breeders in Tennessee of all the improved stock — 
horses, cattle, sheep, hogs, etc. If you want either a race horse, trotting 
horse or saddle horse, a lordly Durham to improve your beef cattle, or a 
little Jersey, should the madam have a fancy to excel in golden butter, 
or the beautiful Devon, which, for all purposes, milk, butter and beef, is 
hard to excel, or any of the improved stock, you have only to refer, as in- 
dicated, to know where to get them. Our breeders have been at great 
expense in importing, rearing and acclimating improved stock, and it is 
to the pecuniary interest of the farmers of the State to sustain them, and 
save to themselves the heavy tax incident to transporting live stock singly 
from a distance, and the risk in acclimating them afterwards. 

The effect of climate is probably greater upon the improved sheep than 
upon any other of the imported, improved stock. It is, therefore, better 
to purchase rams desired to improve our flocks from those raised in and 
inured to our climate. With me the only trouble with the imported sheep 
has been to pass them safely through the first summer, while those of my 
own raising have been as healthy and hearty as the native sheep. 

But, gentlemen, I have already trespassed too far. Your President, in his 
letter addressed to me did me the honor to say that he knew " I had made 
money out of sheep," and requested that I " tell them how to do the same 
thing." I presume he did not mean this intelligent body. That would 
be like " carrying coals to Newcastle," as I am but a novice in sheep cul- 
ture, compared with some whom I address, but to the general farmer who 
has given it but a passing notice, what I have said, or may say, may be of 
some advantage. I do not know that I can tell them how to make money 
out of it, but I can tell them how I have done so. 

Without any knowledge (or very little) of the industry, except what I 
could gain by reading the authorities on sheep, and the experience of 
others, as expressed through the agricultural press, I began sheep hus- 
bandry in 1864, by the purchase of twenty native ewes, for which I paid 
$100 — war prices — the same could be bought now for $25. I bred these 
ewes to a Spanish Merino ram. Why ? Because the Merino was a native 
of a climate similar to that of Tennessee — was acclimated — was of a long 
established breed — possessing a dense coat of fine, soft wool ; all of which 
I wished to perpetuate in my cross, and cover the naked places of my na- 
tives. In this I succeeded, and got a sheep yielding from four to six 
pounds of fine, soft wool, with carcass considerably increased, and a greater 
aptitude to take on flesh. I then desired a larger carcass, with the staple 



[259] 

of my wool longer, and the yield greater, combing wool bearing the best 
price; hence I bred my half-breed Merino ewes to a long-wooled ram, and 
succeeded in getting what I desired, and still retaining the fineness of the 
fibre and softness to the touch, so characteristic of the Merino — as also the 
■density of fleece. I have continued to the present time to breed to none 
but improved Cotswolds, adding to my flock at intervals, Kentucky-raised 
and imported Cotswold ewes and rams, and breeding the imported ewes to 
the same rams. Neither the imported ewes nor their offspring (and for 
the ewes I paid what was considered fancy prices) are superior to those of 
my own raising, but, in fact, those of my own raising are superior in 
health, carcass and yield of wool, to the imported — all receiving the sarbe 
care and attention, which I know was not so good as that received by the 
imported ewes before I purchased them, as they doubtless had been pam- 
pered and handled with great care. The less kind treatment they re- 
ceived in taking their chances with my flock, and not being acclimated, 
had its effect upon them. 

Annually, at shearing time, I cull my flock, and take out all ewes and 
dambs that are less perfect in form and fleece, or in any respect inferior, 
and place them with the mutton sheep, keeping to breed from none but 
the best. 

I give my flock good attention. They have access to an open shed, and 
salt all the time. I change their grazing ground often, and endeavor to 
keep them in wm/orm condition, as that makes uniform wool. Any sudden 
-change from a fat to a poor condition, and vice versa, strengthens or dimin- 
ishes the fibre of the wool, which detracts greatly from the value of the 
wool, frequently rendering the long wools valueless as combing wool. If 
-the sheep becomes poor when the fleece is a;bout half grown, and tlien 
fatted, the wool inevitably tells it, as at that point where the poverty of 
the sheep was shown, so will it be shown in the wool being much weaker 
than the other portions of the fibre grown while the sheep was in good coji- 
-dition ; this same cause, as also any cause from which they have had any 
fever, will cause them to shed their wool. I have heard it said that the 
feeding of corn to sheep made them shed their wool. No doubt it is true, 
as the corn brought them rapidly from poverty to flesh, the sudden chaffy 
causing the shedding of wool, which, rightfully, is attributed to the corn. 

I never breed in-and-in ; never use any but mature rams. It is f al&e 
economy to breed to a lamb, because he can be bought for a few dollars 
less, and it is a positive injury to the lamb. I never allow the ewe lambs 
>to be served by the ram until the fall previous to two years. I permit the 
ram to run with the ewes from August to November, when he is taken 
jfrom the ewes and lotted to himself, otherwise lambs would be coming at 
inopportune times. A ewe that loses her lamb in the spring is very apt 
to be served by the buck if he has access to her, within a short time aftvr 
such loss, which would cause her to drop a lamb in the fall, making it 
■difficult to carry her and the lamb through the winter, with loss of lamb 



[260] 

from her the succeeding spring. One mat\ire ram to about fifty ewes, 
with a little grain twice a day, as his attention to the ewes prevents his 
grazing, and witliout extra feed would cause him to decline in fiesh and 
strength, and be less able to perform his duties. In summer they graze 
upon my meadows and grass lots, destroying noxious weeds, briars, etc.; 
in winter upon the winter grazing oat, and are fed only when the oats are 
too wet to graze or the ground frozen ; they are then removed to sod 
ground, and if necesiary, feed hay or grain. In the spring of 1877, 1 
sowed a field to clover ; during the summer the rag weed was about ta 
take possession of it and smother out the clover. I cut it and cured it^ 
and stored it away in the shed, salting it as I hauled it in ; upon this the 
sheep have principally fed this winter, preferring it to the best timothy 
hay. I market my mutton at home markets and my wool in Boston. My 
flock averages about nine pounds each, of fine combing wool, not sur- 
passed by any, and retains the fineness of fibre and softness to the touch 
transmitted by the Merino. I sent samples of wool from sheep of my 
own breeding, and samples from an imported Cotswold, to Boston for com- 
parison — the preference was given to that of my own breeding, it being 
equal to the imported in every respect, and superior in strength and fine- 
ness of fibre. I would prefer to market my wool at home, but from some 
cause there is too great a margin between the home and the Boston mar- 
ket. It costs me, in commissions and freight less than three cents per 
pound to market it in Boston. 

My ewes are now lambing, in which they have heretofore been very 
proficient. At one time 23 ewes brought consecutively, 47 lambs; 22 
having twins and the 23d triplets. In 1877, 50 ewes raised 79 lambs. 

Since 1866 I have received for sheep and wool sold $ 3,974 00 

I have now on hand 100 head, which I could not replace by 

purchase for ^ 1,500 00 

Value of flock and increase from it $ 5,474 00 

I have expended for breeding ewes and rams 657 50 

Leaving a gross profit for 12 years, of $ 4,816 50 

or over 60 per cent, per annum upon the capital invested, supposing the 
same to have been invested at the beginning, while about one-half of it 
has been invested in the past few years. 

I have said nothing as to the cost of keep, or the benefits derived from 
the sheep, but taking one-fourth of the gross profits, which is about $1.50 
per head per annum, without giving to the sheep any credit for benefits 
desived from them, which are many, and there is still left over 45 per 
cent, per annum for twelve consecutive years. 

I have sustained losses by dogs, by accident, by theft and by disease, 
the latter principally with lambs — but nona of the diseases incident to 
European flocks have troubled me. With dry grounds, proper attention 



[261] 

to grazing and feeding, and salting, with shelter during inclement seasons, 
my flock has kept quite healthy. 

I do not believe such profits can be realized upon sheep on a large 
scale, or even with a smaller number, if the husbandman relies upon the 
breed alone (to make his profits) without giving them proper care and 
attention. But I am sure that the farmer of Tennessee who will use 
ordinary judgment in making his selections, and ordinary care in hand- 
ling his flock, adapting the same to the capacity of his farm, will reap a 
greater profit in proportion to the capital invested, than from any other 
source. His flock will be to him better than Government or State bonds, 
returning to him ann-ually, or semi-annually if he desires it, coupon 
fleece, far exceeding in interest any Government or State bond, with no 
fear of repudiation constantly staring him in the face, and with the 
proud consolation that it is the result of his own care and attention, and 
■not wrung from the sweat and blood of the toiling millions. 

Amnicola, Feb. 5, 1878. 



FROM D. M. JONES, SHAEON, TENNESSEE. 

J. B. KiLLEBREW, Commissioner, etc., 

Dear Sir — I received your circular at a late date. In reply I will say, 
sheep raising is much neglected, taking our facilities into consideration. 
Permit me to speak a few words from experience. Last winter was the 
hardest on stock we have had for several years, and I personally know of 
a flock of sheep that ran in the woods all winter, witliout feed or atten- 
tion, but am not able to state the loss. In May my attention was directed 
to a portion of said flock, numbering fifty-two head, old sheep, ewes and 
wethers, with fourteen nice young lambs, with a good prospect of raising 
them, the older lambs having died before vegetation afforded sufficient 
grazing for the ewes. 

I estimate the wintering on cotton seed and crushed corn six months 
through the winter at 75 cents each, giving them all they will eat, in con- 
nection with rye and other winter grazing. 

In August last I purchased one pair of sheep, of J. B. 
Hill, Franklin, which cost $17.00. I then selected 
32 scrub ewes at $1.50 each. Total cost of stock.... $65 00 

Wintering 33 head at $1.00 each 33 00 

Interest on $98.00 at 10 percent 6 50 

$104 50 

Lost one ewe from natural causes, one hj abortion, one 

killed by accident, one from castration, and two 
lambs when three days old. Now on hand 65 head. 

Value of buck $17 00 

31 old ewes and 12 wether lambs at $1.50 each 64 50 

16 ewe lambs at $2.00 each, and 5 bucks at $3.50 49 50 

Wool clippled from 32 ewes and buck, 131 i lbs., at 25c. 33 63 

$164 63 

Net gain | 60 13 



[262] 



FROM MAJ. GEO. T. ALLMAN. 

Stockweli., Marshall Co., Tenn., July, 1877. 
J. B. KiLiiEBREW, Commissioner of Agriculture, etc. 

In reply to your letter of the 25th ult., I do not know of any stock 
kept on a farm that is more profitable than sheep. They pay two divi- 
dends a year^ — lambs and fleece — besides a daily dividend of manure, and 
are indispensable on a stock farm to keep down weeds, bushes, etc. 

I do not know how I can better illustrate the profits than by giving a 
recent occurrence. A gentleman had seventeen very inferior sheep, sold 
them for $20, and gave that money for a very fine ewe, then with lamb. 
This was three years since. He received $62.50 for two lambs sold and 
the wool. I paid him $100, a few days since, for the original ewe and. 
nine others — all her produce and descendants. He lost several lambs by 
the severe winter of 1876-7 ; never provided any shelter, and never fed 
them one bushel of grain. 

My best ewes pay me annually an average of $25 per head (sales of 
lambs and wool). 

The second question is more difficult to answer, as all depends upon the 
number of other stock kept on the farm, and whether luxuriant pastures 
or a scanty bite. There is neither profit nor pleasure in handling inferior 
stock, and there is no pay in short grass. From three to four sheep to one 
acre of grass can be well kept with other stock in such quantities as are- 
usually kept on our farms. 

For mutton, the Southdowns have no equal. For carcass and fleece- 
combined, I prefer the Cotswold. When large flocks are proposed to be 
kept, I would give the preference to the Merino. I prefer the Cotswold 
from the fact there is more demand for them and they pay better. I find 
that sheep and all other stock do best and pay most when protected from 
sleets, snow, etc. When there is plenty of grazing they require very little 
feed. I think it advisable to change their pastures, and they should have 
salt, water and shade free of access. During severe winter I feed one ear 
@f corn per day to each sheep, and when the ground is covered with snow, 
all the hay they will eat. Sheep properly cared for seldom have any 
disease with us. If kept in good flesh, they are seldom annoyed with 
"sheep ticks." A tobacco dip will rid them of ticks. It is an excellent 
plan to bore holes with a two-inch augur, fill the holes nearly to the top 
with salt, and- put pine tar around the holes, so that when the sheep lick 
the salt they get the tar on their noses, and are not much annoyed by the 
fly in summer. Early lambs should be clipped in July, which renders 
them less liable to disease. This applies more especially to the long- 
wooled sheep. When the fly annoys them, the lambs run from tree to 
tree and get very hot and perspire very much, then lie down on damp 



[263] 

grass and get chilled, their fleece being so long their carcass does not 
"dry out." 

In answer to your question as to the number of sheep killed by dogs, I 
answer that I believe one-fifth are annually killed or maimed by dogs in 
this vicinity. This is the great barrier to the profitable raising of sheep,, 
and as our wise solons love the dog more than the sheep, and as our pres- 
. ent law is wholly insufficient to give the owner of the sheep any protec- 
tion, I see but two ways to remedy the evil. 1. To make it a rule to kill 
every straggling dog found on the premises 2. To make the land-owners 
responsible for all sheep killed by dogs that are around or kept by those 
in their employ or living on their land. I think we would not then, as 
now, have from two to five worthless curs to every freedman or tenant. 



SHEEP-HUSBANDRY IN EAST TENNESSEE. 

BY J. W. F. FOSTER, LL D. 

The permanently remunerative industries of every country will be de- 
termined by its physical peculiarities of soil, climate, and topography. 
Governmental interference and other temporary circumstances may, for a 
time, turn them into unnatural channels, but ultimately they will assume 
or revert to those channels which nature has pointed out. Of this truth 
East Tennessee is a notable illustration. The unwise devotion of the 
Gulf States to the almost exclusive production of cotton created a near 
and profitable market for our cereab, and to supply it their production 
was stimulated to the utmost. Our devotion to grain was as exclusive 
and as unAvise as was their devotion to cotton. As a consequence, after 
half a century of uninterrupted grain-growing, we have reached the point 
that, away from the river bottoms, few farms are profitably productive, 
and large numbers are utterly exhausted. The lands and their owners 
are gradually growing poorer. And so they will continue until a radical 
change is introduced into our system of husbandry. It is not a matter of 
choice, but one of necessity. The character of this needed change is 



[264] 

plainly indicated by the physical elements of the country. They are the 
same as those of Spain, the oldest and most extensive wool-growing region 
of the world; they are the same as those of California and Australia 
which, in our day, are as yet her only rivals. High ranges of mountains 
to the nortli and the south of us, furnishing shelter from arctic cold and 
torrid heat; the intermediate space furrowed into innumerable ridges and 
valleys; a dry soil, but an abundance of the purest living water; a cli- 
mate strictly temperate, where all the valuable grasses flourish in perpet- 
ual verdure; an atmosphere saturated with all the elements of health; 
such are its chief characteristics, and such is the paradise of the sheep. 
Notwithstanding these great natural advantages, we do not produce over 
the sixth part of the wool consumed by our population. The number of 
our sheep is scarcely equal to half of our population; we have but one 
sheep to every eight acres of our improved lands; one to every forty acres 
of our eiitire territory. Our number is but a small fraction of what it 
could and should be, as may be seen from the following statistics: Spavin, 
with neither a soil nor climate equal to ours, has two sheep for each of 
her population, and one to every five acres of her territory. The State of 
Vermont keeps one sheep to every four acres of her territory, and three to 
every one of her population. New York has one sheep to every seven 
acres of territory; Ohio, one to every six acres. The proportion of horses 
and cattle in the two last mentioned States is also fully double that of 
Tennessee. If in these States, wliere sheep-husbandry is not the chief oc- 
cupation of the farmers but merely incidental to their other occupations, 
where the climate is so rigorous as to require feeding from three to six 
months in the year, and where the price of land is upon an average four- 
fold that of ours, such numbers of sheep are maintained, how much better 
could be our own showing if our people were only wisely alive to their 
own interest. The assessment rolls of East Tennessee show an aggregate 
in round numbers of eight and one-half millions of acres, of which not 
quite one-fourth is returned as improved. Without materially interfer- 
ing with other agricultural operations this territory could support two 
and one-half million sheep, which, at a low estimate, would yield in 
money three-fourths as much, as the entire crop of wheat, corn and oats, 
basing the calculation upon the census report of 1870, and taking the 
average price of wool and grain for the last five years. In other words, 
the income of our farmers would be nearly doubled, with but little addi- 
tional labor and expense. From our own experience and that of a large 
number of farmers who do raise sheep, v^e believe that the results would 
be considerably above our estimate. Moreover, this estimate does not in- 
clude the value of the manure as a fertilizer, of which more will subse- 
quently be said. 

If this representation is correct, the question naturally occurs, why do 
not our people engage in the business? There are, it seems to us, three 
chief reasons. There exists in many minds a prejudice against the sheep; 



[265] 

there is a. natural reluctance to change from old ways and habits which 
have been lianded down from father to son; but more than all else, is the 
want of adequate and permanent legislation to protect the sheep-grower 
against his most deadly enemy, the dog. Against a prejudice and a feel- 
ing the weapons of reason are powerless. People cannot be argued out of 
them; they must outgrow them. But when this growth has once com- 
menced it is generally rapid, and from all the information which we can 
derive from the various counties in this division of the State, it has al- 
ready proceeded so far that, but for the want of adequate legislation, our 
people would lai-gely embark in the business. 



naore than any other one thing, is keeping East Tennessee poor. If, ac- 
cording to the Spanish proverb, beneath the foot of the sheep is prosper- 
ity and wealth, beneath that of the dog is decay and poverty. From data 
furnished by the assessment rolls, we have in this division of the State at 
least sixty thousand dogs. If before the tribunal of Eeason and Common 
Sense an indictment were preferred against these dogs as a public nui- 
sance, such an array of charges could be made and sustained as would 
insure a verdict of guilty, and with scarcely any palliating circumstances 
for an appeal to the mercy of the court. It would be proved that the 
food consumed by each dog would produce one hundred and fifty pounds 
of pork, which would aggregate nine million ^wunds, worth, at the lowest 
estimate, five hundred and forty thousand dollars. It would be shown 
that the destruction of property by them annually averages, but little leps 
than that produced by fire and flood. It would be shown tliat, in conse- 
quence of their evil disposition, our farmers are deterred from engaging 
in the raising of sheep, by which a loss of revenue is caused to the people 
and to the State of at least five millions of dollars annually. It would be 
shown that large numbers of immigrants, with money in their purses and 
brains in their heads, are prevented from settling among us and helping 
to build up the country, from the fact that these dogs render it too hazard- 
ous to embark in the only agricultural operation that offers a reasonable 
prospect of profit. It is a crime against the dignity and welfare of the 
Sta.te that such a nuisance should exist. 

THE PROFITS 

of sheep-husbandry, like those of every other business, will greatly depend 
upon the skill and attention with which it is conducted. In estimating 
them, three elements are to be considered — the wool, the mutton, and the 
manure. There are several ways of estimating these profits, all of which j 
are very approximately correct and whose results closely liainionize. We 
will first compare them with those of corn and wheat upon our lands of 



[266 I 

average fertility. The account with an acre of corn would be about as 

follows : 

Plowing and planting $2 00 

Cultivating and harvesting 2 50 

$4 50 
Twenty bushels at 50c. jier bushel, $10 — leaving a profit of $5.50 per acre. 
With an acre of wheat it would stand : 

Seed $1 00 

Plowing and sowing 2 00 

Harvesting and thi-eshing 85 

$3 85 
Eight bushels, at $1 per bushel, $8 — leaving a profit of $4.15 per acre. 
The same land would support five sheep to every two acres : 

Wool, 4 lbs. per head, at 40c. per lb $8 00 

Four lambs, at $1.50 per head 6 00 

$14 00 
Expense at 60c. per head 3 00 

$11 00 
Leaving a profit of $5.50 per aci-e, being equal to that of corn, and ex- 
ceeding that of wheat by $1.35 per acre. 

Our estimates of the profits of the corn and wheat are full high, larger 
than will be generally realized ; that of the sheep full low, much less 
than would be realized witli good sheep and proper management. 

Another method of estimation is the rates at which sheep are loaned. 
In some States it is quite common for moneyed men to let out flocks of 
sheep to those having less means. Sometimes a flock of ewes is thus 
loaned, to double in four years, being a rental of 25 per cent, per annum. 
More frequently they are let for two pounds of wool per head annually, 
returning the original number. If the ewe is worth three dollars, and 
wool forty cents per pound, this would give a rental of 26| per cent, per 
annum. 

J^o man can rent land at 25 per cent, of its value per acre, keep it up, 
and, after a. series of years, return it in as good condition as when re- 
ceived. .\ clear interest of ten per cent, would make land the most profit- 
able investment that could be made. 

All of these estimates show that sheep-husbandry is more profitable 
than grain. But we are satisfied that in this climate, with good breeds of 
sheep and with the right management, our lands can be made to yield at 
the least fifty per cent more than our estimate. We have assumed our 
sheep to yield four pounds; they can be easily made to reach six and 
eight pounds. We have assumed that our lands can carry but two and 
one-half sheep to the acre; they can carry three. We have assumed that 



[267] 

every hundi'ed ewes give eighty lambs; they can be made to give from 
one hundred to one hundred and twenty. We have assumed that the 
lambs bring $1.50 per head; they can be made, as mutton, to yield $3 
per head net. Moreover, we have left out of the consideration the ma- 
nure, which, at the lowest estimate, is worth fifty cents per head. In cor- 
roboration of our estimate, we would state that we have taken pains to 
obtain the opinion of sheep-raisers upon this point, and though their esti- 
mates dift'er from each other, all agree that it is the most profitable part 
of their farm operations. 

No estimate of the profits of this business is complete without a consid- 
eration of the value of 

SHEEP AS FERTILIZERS. 

This is a matter of special interest to the farmers of East Tennessee, to 
whom the recuperation of their exhausted fields is a subject of vital im- 
portance. Chemical analysis shows the manure of the sheep to be richer 
in the elements of vegetable growth than that of the horse or cow. Its 
nature and method of distribution insure nearly its entire utilization, 
while that of these other animals is, to a large extent, wasted. In Eng- 
land it is held to be worth over a dollar per head. In this country it is 
commonly placed at fifty cents. ■ Our own estimate would be much higher. 
In the absence of a record of exact experiments by others, we may be 
excused for referring to two of our own made this year. Our sheep are 
folded every night, summer and winter, in an enclosed shed, with a paled 
yard attached.. The shed is kept well littered, and the yard scraped once 
or twice a week, the scrapings being thrown into the shed. Last August 
the manure from ten sheep for the year was spread upon a quarter of an 
acre of my thin land. The piece was then sowed to turnips. Tliough 
the season has proved very unfavorable, it promises a yield of at least the 
rate of 250 bushels to the acre. Without the manure it would not yield 
fifty. The manure of these ten sheep will make me fifty bushels of tur- 
nips; its effects will be larger next year, and will be very perceptible for 
the two or three succeeding years. 

This summer the scrapings from a yard in which twenty sheep were 
folded, have amounted to about four bushels per week, or about ten bush- 
els per head for the year. In May one bushel of these scrapings was 
sown in a ridge of sweet potatoes, ten rods in length. As compared 
with the adjoining rows the effects throughout the season have been vis- 
ible ; and judging from the few that have been already dug, the yield 
will be increased at least three pecks, or an increase of sixty-six bushels 
to the acre. The nightly manure of twenty sheep thus saved and used 
would cover an acre and a half of land, and increase the yield one hun- 
dred bushels. And furthermore, the force of the manure is far from 
expended on the first crop. This is the result of only half of the sheep's 



[268] 

manure, the balance being spread on tlie pasture. From these and other 
experiments made by me, I am positive tliat the manure of one sheep is 
of more value than one hundred pounds of guano, which will cost at 
least three and one-half dollars. Too little value is generally attached 
to this element of p2'ofit; probably from the fact that our fathers tilled 
the land in all its virgin fruitfulness, and did not feel the need of it, 
and we are still encumbered with their ways of thought and action. But 
many of our best farmers are beginning to discover that, if the manure 
is their only clear profit on stock, it nevertheless pays. 
The profits of sheep-husbandry will largely depend on 

THEIR MANAGEMENT. 

No animal will endui'e neglect and thrive under it equal to the sheep; 
and no animal will respond more generously to extra care and attention. 
It is the prevalent idea and practice that sheep must take care of them- 
selves. Hence small sheep, little wool and no profit. It would be as 
reasonable to expect a good crop of corn without cultivation as to expect 
a good crop of wool or mutton without the bestowal of proper care upon 
the producers of them. Sheep will thrive in the summer season on almost 
any of our pastures and old fields; it is consequently for the winter that 
provision is specially to be made. And herein lies one of our chief ad- 
vantages as a sheep^raising State. In the- North they must be fed on arti- 
ficial food from three to six months in the year ; here they need require 
it scarcely as many days. In New York or Michigan it will cost from 
$1.00 to $1.50 per head to winter them ; here they can be wintered 
equally well at a cost of from twenty-five to fifty cents. The course 
which I would recommend, founded on my own experience and that of 
many of our most intelligent and successful sheep-raisers, would be about 
as follows : Provide a field of such grass as grows late in the fall and 
starts early in the spring, and which will keep green through the winter. 
Orchard grass and red-top are perhaps the best, especially where blue 
grass will not succeed. Let it make a good growth in the fall. Turn on 
about the middle of November; and unless too heavily stocked, it will 
furnish an abundant pasturage till the first of February. 

As earl}"^ in the fall as possible, sow rye or winter oats in cornfields or 
elvsewhere. From the first of February till late in the spring, sheep can 
have no better food than can thus be provided. By this method they can 
be kept thriving through the winter at but a trifling more expense than 
through the summer. But when the weather is stormj"^ and inclement, so 
that they are disinclined to graze, it will be advisable to feed them some 
grain. At such times they need a more nutritious food to supply the 
animal heat which the cold and dampness so rapidly abstract. For it 
must be remembered that large, healthy lambs at yeaning time, and 
heavy fleeces at .shearing time, can be expected only from sheep that have 
been kept in good order thi-ough the winter. 



[269] 

The importance of the matter will be a -eufficient excuse for a brief 
digression upon the sowing of rye in the fall. The advantage of it is 
three fold, especially on fields that have been cultivated this year, and 
are to be followed by cultivation the next. First, a large amount of ex- 
cellent feed is obtained; secondly, it very effectually prevents the wash- 
ings to which our fields are so disastrously subjected by winter rains . 
thirdly, when turned under in the spring it is a valuable fertilizer. Its 
rapid decomposition furnishes heat and assimilable food to the plant at a 
time when they are particularly needed. Either one of these advantages 
is sufficient to repay the cost ; the three combined make it one of our 
most valuable crops. In fact, as things now are, it is an essential of good 
farming; and it is a happy omen for the agriculture of our State that the 
practice is rapidly extending. 

Though not a necessity in our climate, 

KOOTS 

are an important adjunct in the wintering of sheep. No other crop will 
furnish an equal amount of wholesome food to the acre. In this manner, 
also, a variety of food is furnished as essential to sheep as to man. It is 
well known that the agi-iculture of England has been brought to its 
present high standard, and is kept advancing, chiefly by means of sheep, 
largely supported on turnips. In our climate, as there, the crop can be 
left on the ground during the winter and harvested by the animals them- 
selves. An acre of good ground will yield from 400 to 600 bushels ; more 
than equal to fifty bushels of corn, and raised at less exjiense. Another 
important root crop, too much neglected, is the sweet potato. On fair soil 
productive varieties will yield from 250 to 400 bushels to the acre, equal 
for feeding purposes to from 60 to 100 bushels of corn ; and they can be 
kept without difficulty till Christmas. The expense of raising them is 
some moi-e than that of raising an equal area of corn, but less than that 
of raising their equivalent in feeding qualities. Besides, they are but 
little exhaustive to the soil. My own practice is to raise sweet potatoes 
for early feeding and turnips for late. They are moreover an excellent 
feed for horses, milch cows and hogs. A feed of them two or three times 
a week greatly promotes the thrift of these animals. 

It is a prevalent belief that sheep need no protection from the weather. 
No idea is more erroneous. Thej will suffer less from the dry cold of 
Minnesota than from the chilling rains of Tennessee. Their fleeces be- 
come saturated with dampnesg, and the animal heat is rapidly abstracted 
by evaporation. It is the very best of economy for the saving of food, 
for the growth of soft and heavy fleeces, for the health of the sheep, and 
for the preservation and thrift of the lambs, that ample and comfortablte 



should be provided. The saving of feed and life, and the fextra produce, 
will amount to full twenty-five per cent. Then there is to the humane 



[270] 

man the feeling of pleasure and satisfaction arising from the knowledge 
that in the midst of a wintry storm, while he himself is enjoying the 
comforts of a blazing fire, his sheep likewise are comfortable in their 
quarters. Their house should be well covered and protected from 
the winds. Attached should be an open yard, to which they have free 
access. Their house should be kept well littered. Upon one side should 
be troughs for feeding and salting. Many, perhaps most, will consider all 
this as unnecessary and useless trouble. But we say that which we do 
know, when we say it pays. Sheep thus sheltered will keep fat on the 
food that will barely sustain life in those which are exposed. Their 
fleeces are kept clean, lambs are seldom lost from exposure ; they become 
gentle, can readily be caught and handled, and the state and condition of 
the flock are known every day. Uncared for sheep will yield some wool 
and mutton, but no profit. Generous profits are the offspring of generous 
treatment. Physical comfort and mental quietude are as essential to the 
well-being of our domestic animals as to our oWn. 
Amons; the numerous 



of sheep the public favor seems to be divided principally between the 
Merino and the Cotswold. The former yields a short, fine fleece weighing 
from four to six pounds ; the latter yields a long, rather coarse, fleece 
weighing from eight to ten pounds. The former has a small carcass, 
weighing from seventy-five to one hundred pounds; the carcass of the 
latter will run from 125 pounds to 175 pounds. Formerly the Merinos 
were the most popular ; but of late years the increasing consumption of 
mutton and the demand for long wool for combing purposes seems to have 
turned the tide of popularity towards the Cotswold. For the mountain- 
ous regions of East Tennessee, remote from markets and lines of transpor- 
tation, and where the production of wool is the chief object of the sheep 
raiser, the Merino may be the most desirable. But in most portions that 
breed will be found most profitable which yields the greatest returns 
both of wool and mutton. These combined qualities the Cotswold seems 
to possess above any other breed 

But throwing the wool entirely out of consideration, it is generally 
maintained by sheep-growers, that, as meat-producing animals, they are 
more profitable than either hogs or cattle, except perhaps on rich bottom 
lands. Randall, an extensive sheep-farmer of New York, says it can be 
demonstrated that a pound of 



can be produced cheaper than a pound of pork or beef. And several 
farmers of this State largely engaged in all three varieties of stock-rais- 
ing, have expressed to the writer the same opinion. The consumption of 
mutton is fa^t increasing throughout the United States. In our large 



[271] 

cities the demand, is, as a rule, in excess of the supply; and the recent 
successful enterprise of shipping fresh meat to Europe will doubtless, m a 
few years, greatly enhance this demand. If for no other purpose, every 
farmer should keep a few sheep that he may have a supply of fresh mut- 
ton whenever desired. It is as wholesome and nutritious as beef, and if 
properly dressed, as palatable. The flesh diet of our rural population is 
chiefly salt pork ; and so it must for a long time continue, especially 
during the hot months, unless resort is had to mutton. By interchanging, 
every neighborhood of three or lour farmers could keep their tables sup- 
plied without risk of loss by the weather. It would add much to the 
comfort and enjoyment of the family, and perhaps cause no small saving 
on the score of " doctor's bills." 

Information received from all portions of this Division of the State 
makes it certain that there is a rapidly growing sentiment in favor of 
sheep-husbandry. Many who have not heretofore kept sheep are starting 
flocks ; others are enlarging ; all are striving to improve their quality. 
Quite a number have engaged extensively in breeding Cotswolds, and they 
are unable to supply the home demand lor pure-bred stock. If wisdom 
rules in our Legislature, and the dog nuisance is permanently abated or 
rendered harmless, it may confidently be predicted that within the next 
decade scarcely a farm will be found without sheep, and in the larger 
number of instances they will be the principal stock. Nature certainly 
points in that direction ; and the good sense of our people cannot fail to 
induce them to follow at her bidding. For us there is no need of a new 
Argonautic expedition in search of the Golden Fleece. We can find it 
right here at home. Her sheep yield more gold to California than her 
mines. The herbage that grows upon our mountains and hillsides can 
yield to us and to our posterity a more enduring supply of wealth than 
-their interiors, though traversed with Comstock lodes. 

We have presented, hitherto, some of the claims of sheep-husbandry as 
a source of profit by the money it yields and by the fertility it imparts to 
the soil. But it is not upon this ground alone, nor chiefly that we would 
urge it upon our farmers. As a class of the community, they, their 
wives and their children, are overworked. Almost from the cradle to the 
grave they spend a life of unremitting toil. They grow prematurely old ; 
they lack many of the rational enjoyments of life ; worse than all, they 
are far from reaching that high standard of intellectual and moral char- 
acter to which their occupation is preeminently favorable. Overwork is 
as bad on the health and character as idleness. Both are extremes; both 
are misfortunes ; the one makes men useless drones, the other makes them 
jaded slaves. Under our present system of farming it cannot well be oth- 
erwise. The diflerence in the labor required on a grain farm and that on 
a stock farm can scarcely be appreciated by those wlio have not expe- 
rienced it. But great as is this diflerence, it is no greater than that in 
the character of the two classes of farmers. Go to the rich prairies of 



[272] 

Illinois; visit a grain-growing community; then pass to the adjoining 
stock-growers. The contrast is so great that a dullard cannot fail to mark 
it. He seems to have been transported to a different world. The grain- 
grower is so dependent on the fickleness of the seasons and the ur.reliable- 
ness of human labor, that he seems to have lost all independence of char- 
acter ; the stock-grower, less affected by these troubles, presents an ideal 
of manly independence. The grain-grower sees the fertility of his lands 
decreasing, and with it his income, talks of selling out and moving west 
to fresher fields, to Kansas or Nebraska ; he is filled- with the spirit of 
unrest and discontent, and they brand their mark on his and his family's 
foreheads. The stock-grower sees'that his lands are annually becoming 
richer, and in consequence his income larger; for him Kansas and Ne- 
braska have no charms; he thinks of no change, unless it may be to buy 
a gold mine in California or a palace in Chicago, after he has bought and 
stocked all the desirable lands in his vicinity; he is filled with quietude 
and content, and upon his and his family's foreheads they too impress 
their mark. From .January to December the grain-grower and his family 
spend a round of constant toil. Too busy in the daytime, too fatigued at 
night, they neither study nor read. Of the literature, science and art of 
the world, ti\ey know little, care less. Their intellects become narrowed 
and dwarfed, incapable of a noble thought or a generous feeling. The 
stock-grower and his family, with more of leisure and less of wearisome- 
ness, find time for reading and for society. Their taste becomes refined, 
their intellect expanded. Books and periodicals become a luxury and a 
necessity. An interest is created and cultivated in the affairs and the 
thoughts of the great world lying beyond the horizon of the belfry of 
ther village church. In their views of things they become cosmopolitan, 
noble in their thoughts, generous in the impulses of their hearts. This 
contrast is not exaggerated. All intelligent travelers will perceive its 
truth. The writer has marked it in scores of instances in different 
portions of our country. 

We conclude with the language of Mr. Grey to the Hexam Farmers' 
Club in England : "The wealth and success of a farmer may be pretty 
well calculated by the amount of his sheep stock. Sheep are said to be 
the animals with the golden hoof ; they enrich where they go. 'I'hey not 
only enrich the master, but the soil." 




■ ^ 



[273] 



LEICESTER SHEEP. 

By Dr. WM. WILLIAMS, of Davidson County. 

Mr. Bakewell, a breeder of stock in the shire of Leicester, England, 
with clear and well-defined ideas in regard to sheep-breeding, created in 
his own mind an ideal of perfection, and determined to establish a distinct 
breed of sheep to which he thought no possible objection could be raised. 
From his own flock, those of his neiglibors, and the stock-yards, he selected 
sheep which he thought were most likely to produce the offspring he 
wanted. Encouraged by the success of this effort in obtaining a sheep of 
good form and constitution, he continued his efforts in making selections 
to cross-breed with. When on a visit to a friend in Lincolnshire who was 
an eminent stock-breeder, and looking over the flock of siieep his quick 
eye rested on a ram whose small head, long, round body, short legs, and 
mellow handling, so pleased him that he prevailed on his friend to part 
with his best ram. This ram corrected some of the defects of the flock, 
particularly in the wool, he having a coat of closer texture and of a 
longer and finer staple. He must have been a splendid one indeed to 
satisfy Mr. Bakewell, who considered him a prize, and changed his sys- 
tem of cross-breeding to that of breeding in-and-in, for the purpose of per- 
manently fixing the type, which he succeeded in to his entire satisfaction, 
by.'making selections of the best of his own flock to breed from, carefully 
avoiding hereditary defects and diseases. By patience and perseverance 
his theory of cross-breeding and close-breeding became so well known 
that his flock of Leicesters soon gained a world-wide celebrity. They 
were resorted to for the purpose of improving other breeds. The improved 
Cots wold is a cross between the large, coarse Cots wold and the Leicester, 
which gave the Cotswold a better form, better constitution, and finer 
wool. The Oxfordshire is a cross between the Southdown and the Leices- 
ter, which has produced a sheep having the color of face and legs like the 
Southdown, and the size, form and fleece differing but little from the 
Leicester. 

In Tennessee to-day, for general purposes, the Leicester is unsurpassed 
if not unequaled, by any other breed of sheep. Compared with the dif- 
ferent breeds of fine-wool sheep, they are larger and yield more wooU 
which is worth more per pound. Possessing a good constitution, they 
fatten as well as the Southdown, have a heavier carcass, a heavier fleece 
of wool, also worth more per pound. They are not so lai-ge as the mag- 
nificent Cotswold, but they surpass them in symmetrv of form, in consti- 
tution, which insures to them long life, and in the texture of fleece. The 
ewes are good breeders and good nurses. They very often produce twins, 
and the twins grow off" as well as the single lambs, which are sought for 
18 



[274] 

by breeders and butchers at liberal prices. The wool has been sold in the 
Nashville market during the last twelve years for from twenty-five to 
sixty-five cents per pound, as taken from the sheep, and averaging from 
six to eight pounds each fleece, and in some individual cases as high as 
twelve and even fifteen pounds. The wool is strictly combing wool, and 
is used by manufacturers in making the finest blankets and other articles 
requiring a long, fine fibre. Samples of this wool I have sent you, which 
you have seen proper to speak of in terms perhaps above its merits. 

Were an animal painter to group a flock of Leicesters on canvas, the 
heads would be small and hornless, the ears long, the legs short and 
small, all clean of wool and usually of a dusky tinge, and occasionally 
small black spots on them; the neck small, the brisket deep, the body 
long and round, the back broad, and the hind quarters square. Dressed 
in their winter suit, the neck is well protected with the Elizabethan ruffle, 
and their bodies covered with a soft coat of long, wavy, combing wool, 
which the March winds toss about like billows. 



IMPROVED KENTUCKY SHEEP. 

Bred by KOBEET W. SCOTT, Frankfort, Kentucky. 

In the communication from Mr. Tom Crutchfield, he 
speaks of crossing his flock with a buck bred by Mr. Rob- 
ert W. Scott, of Frankfort, Kentucky, and of the beneficial 
effects derived from this cross. It occurred to me that this 
now famous breed merits more attention than it has received 
from the stock-breeders of Tennessee. I therefore wrote 
to Mr. Scott to give me a history and description of his 
flock. In compliance with my request he very kindly for- 
warded to me the following essay, in which the intelligent 
breeder will perceive that Mr. Scott has exercised unusual 



[275] 

skill in breeding, and has taken infinite pains to give his 
flock all the qualities to be desired in sheep for this lati- 
tude: 

The sheep which are called "native," or "common," in the West, are a 
hardy and prolific variety; but they are deficient in size, in thrift, and in 
fleece. Though the general diffusion of them proves their adaptation to 
the circumstances in which they are placed, yet it is well known that the 
tendency which all animals have to adapt themselves to climate and sub- 
sistence may be materially modified and controlled by judicious crossing, 
and that the improvement made by these crosses becomes permanent, and 
thereby stamps distinct varieties of the same class of animals. Chiefly 
by these influences (crosses, climate, and subsistence) the Bakewell, Ox- 
fordshire, Saxony, and other varieties of sheep, have been produced ; and 
their distinctive features, in congenial localities, are as indelible as those 
of the stocks from which they were produced. In the same manner, no 
doubt, still other varieties may be produced ; nor does there appear to be 
any insuperable difficulty in blending, in the same animal, any number 
of valuable qualities which are not actually antagonistic to each other. 
These principles extend even to points of fancy merely. For example, 
some breeds of sheep are hornless, while others have two, others three, and 
others still have four horns. The Syrian shepherd delights in a breed 
whose tails are so long and fat that wheels are required on which to draw 
them over the pastures; but we prefer sheep with short tails, and per- 
haps a breed might be produced as destitute of them as are dogs of some 
breeds. 

There are other valuable considerations which make the frequent cross- 
ing of sheep desirable, if not indispensable. Dr. D. H. Dadd, in his Amer- 
ican Cattle Doctor, page 248, says: "It is now a well-ascertained fact 
that health and vigor can only be perpetuated by not running too long, on 
the same blood. The best variety of sheep I have ever known (putting 
fineness of fleece aside) was the mixed Bakewell and Southdown." Sir 
Robert Smith, in his prize essay for the English Royal Agricultural So- 
ciety, says: "Plaving tried experiments in every possible way, I do not 
hesitate to express my opinion that, by proper and judicious crossing 
through several generations, a most valuable breed of sheep may be raised 
and established." 

The tendency of all improved breeds of all domestic animals to relapse 
to their original status when they are neglected or abused, is no proper 
discouragement to this course of improvement; for such a policy would 
condemn the adoption of all our best breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and 
hogs; for all have been produced by careful and judicious crossing and 
selection, and all improvements in stock can be fully maintained only by 
a reasonable share of the same care and judgment by which the improve- 
Jiient was originally eBected. 



[276] 

None of the previously existing breeds seemed to possess all the require- 
ments of sheep for the great West and South ; the native sheep were infe- 
rior in carcass and in fleece ; the Cotswolds were too delicate, especially 
when young, and their fleeces too open, to bear exposure to our wet sea- 
sons ; the fleece of the Southdown was too short, and the Merino was too 
small. Acting on these impressions, the writer has perseveringly endeav- 
ored, for over forty-six years, to combine in the same animal the hardiness 
and prolific quality of the native sheep, the size and the weight of fleece 
of the Cotswold, and the sj'mmetry of form and delicacy of mutton of the 
Southdown ; and also to combine in the same fleeces the weight and length 
of the Cotswold, with the thickness and softness of the Merino. My suc- 
cess has been so great, and the sale and diff'usion of the sheep have been 
so wide, that I am gratified at having been able to give, through the pop- 
ular Eeport of the Agricultural Department for 1865, tlie following his- 
tory of the improvement: 

In the beginning, in 1834, about thirty ev;^es were selected from a flock 
of unimproved common or native sheep, and they were bred to a very 
large and fine Saxony or Merino ram, the object being to give, in the oflf- 
spring, more thickness to the fleece and more fineness to the fibre of the 
wool. This step was thought advisable before uniting the coarse fleeces- 
of the native sheep with the coarse and still more open fleeces of the large 
imported varieties, and the efiect was satisfactory. The ewe lambs of this 
cross were bred, on the first of October after they were one year old, to an 
imported Bakewell buck, of large, full, round carcass, and a heavy fleece 
of long wool. The ewe lambs of this latter cross were also, in due time, 
bred to an imported Southdown buck, of large size and high form, the 
object now being to infuse into the progeny that active, sprightly and 
thrifty disposition, and highly flavored and beautifully marbled mutton^ 
for which the Southdowns are so justly celebrated. This object was also 
successfully attained. The wethers of this cross were the delight of the 
epicure, while the value of the fleece was not diminished, as much being 
gained by increasing the number of fibres to the square inch as was lost 
in the length of them. 

The next cross was made by a ram which possessed, in combination, 
many of the good qualities which it was desired to perpetuate in the flock.. 
He was three-fourths Cotswold and one-fourth Southdown ; a large, hardy, 
active sheep, with a thick and heavy fleece, and his progeny possessed the 
same qualities in an eminent degree. The two next crosses were made by 
pure-blood Cotswolds ; and the next by a very fine full-blood Oxfordshire 
ram of remarkable softness and silkiness of fleece. They were all animals 
with short necks, round barrels, broad backs, and full briskets. They 
added to the flock still more weight of carcass and fleece; while the tex- 
ture of the latter and the delicate flavor of the former were not percepti- 
bly impaired, and therefore, in the next fall — of 1853 — the flock was 
divided between two fine full-blood Cotswolds. 



[277] 

Every one of these crosses was perceptible in the flock (blended, but 
•still manifest), in the character and habits, as well as in the carcass and 
in the fleece; but in soine a particular cross predominated, which was 
naturally to be expected, on account of the recentness of the improve- 
ment. In order to obliterate these discrepancies, and to produce more 
■complete uniformity in the flock, it was bred, in 1854, to five select rams 
of my own breeding. The progeny showed a reasonable accomplishment 
of the object; and though there was some variation in their carcasses and 
fleeces, still they were in all respects beautiful and valuable animals of 
their kind. 

In the fall of 1855,' in order to carry out the same design, I bred chiefly 
to a mixed-blood ram, whose pedigree showed Colswold, Oxfordshire, Tees- 
water, and Southdown blood. He was a highly formed and finely finished 
sheep, of large size, and a thick fleece of medium length and fineness of 
fibre, and his lambs possessed great beauty and value. 

In 1856 I bred chiefly to a large and fine Cotswold, and in 1857 to him 
and to a ram of mixed blood, the ewes being so selected and bred as to 
produce a more complete uniformity in the progeny — those having a pre- 
dominance of Southdown and Merino being bred to the Cotswold, and 
those having a predominance of Cotswold qualities being bred to the 
mixed-blood ram. In 1858 two large and fine rams of my own breeding 
■were used in the same manner, and for the same objects chiefly, viz., to 
give uniformity and stability to the flock. A few ewes were also bred, in 
1858, to a very fine mixed-blood ram, which was a perfect model of sym- 
metry, and which had taken a premium at the State fair in Louisville in 
that year. In October, 1857, the flock of about one hundred ewes was 
again selected, and bred with a view to the same object, about one-half 
being bred to the above premium animal, and the remainder to a fine 
" Improved Kentucky" sheep, which had a fleece of remarkable length, 
fineness of fibre, and was of good size and fine form. 

By this time these sheep were as essentially alike and uniform, main- 
tained their identity and imparted their qualities as surely, as sheep of 
any other breed. They had been exhibited with success at many State 
and county fairs, and had been sold and sent to almost every State in the 
West and South, even to California; and all which I could raise from a 
"flock of about one hundred ewes found ready sale at the uniform price of 
thirty dollars for those one year old and under. A lot of these sheep was 
exhibited at the fair of the Kentucky State Agricultural Society in Paris 
in 1856, and again at the fair of the United States Agricultural Society in 
Louisville in 1857, and at each a special premium was awarded them. 

Since 1860, well selected rams of my own breeding, and those of Leices- 
ter and of Cotswold blood, have been used in such manner as to impart 
some valuable qualities either to the fleece or the carcass, or to the con- 
stitution of the progeny, pure Cots wolds, superior in form and size and 
fleece, being used. 



[278] 

ADAPTATION TO THE CLIMATE AND SUBSISTENCE OP THE WEST AND SOUTH. 

In a country which is comparatively new, and in which stock-raising is 
conducted on an extensive scnle, housing in winter is necessarily expen- 
sive and troublesome, and it is impracticable except with those animals 
which are very valuable and very delicate. Hence the necessity that 
sheep, which are generally regarded as of inferior importance, should be 
capable of self-protection, as far as is possible. Indeed, it is doubtful 
whether any breed of sheep which requires housing in winter can become 
a generally popular and practically successful breed in the West and 
South. Living at all times in the open air, their subsistence must be of 
such a character that they can gather it at all times for themselves, or 
which can be given them at but little expense or trouble. Climate and 
subsistence are both known to have material influence even on the fleeces 
of the sheep; and so much does the character of the food affect the qual- 
ity of the wool, that the same individual, by a change of food, may be 
made to produce, at different shearings, wool of widely varied quality and 
value. Luxuriant and coarse vegetation, grown on limestone soils, is 
more favorable to the growth of longer and coarser wool ; but this ten- 
dency may be qualified by judicious crossing, and the growth of fine wool 
in the West must be sustained by an occasional infusion of fresh blood 
from the more congenial flocks of Andalusia, Saxony, or New England, 
and thus a superior article of medium wool may be produced. 

The "Improved Kentucky" sheep (that is the name by which they 
have been long and widely known) have always faced the bleakest win- 
ters and the hottest and driest summers without any protection, except 
that which nature has given them, and yet they have been almost entirely 
free from all disease, especially from the coughs which often, in winter, 
affect sheep; and they have been equally free from the snuiHes and foot- 
rot, which have been so fatal to other breeds. In springs, winters and 
summers of excessive rains, clothed to the knees and to the ears by a thick, 
long, and impenetrable fleece, they bid defiance to the wind, rain, and 
snow, and seem at all times to be comfortable and sprightly. In summer 
they are changed from pasture to pasture, and devour almost every green 
weed. In winter, short grass is all they require; and if that cannot be 
afforded them, they will take their corn-fodder with the cattle, and thrive 
well upon it, though at lambing time, like other sheep, they require a 
more succulent diet. My stock sheep have never been fed with grain at 
any time, and when in winter they have been admitted to a hay-stack, 
they have seemed to prefer the corn-fodder. 

THEIR THRIFTY AND PROLIFIC CHARACTER, AND THEIR SIZE. 

In the month of August or September, in each year, any aged, inferior, 
or declining ewes are taken from the flock; and on being separated from 
their lambs and put on good grass, they soon make excellent mutton. 



[279] 

Only the most healthy, finely-formed, and well-wooled ewes are kept as 
breeders; and the utmost care has been taken, and no reasonable expense 
has been spared, to secure rams to breed to them of a similar character^ 
and which would impart some superior qualities to the flock; and no ram 
has ever been used with any, even the slightest, taint of disease upon him. 
In this manner, and by frequent crosses with animals which were not 
even remotely related to each other (except in the cases and for the pur- 
poses above stated), and also by crossing with rams of different breeds^ 
without making violent crosses, a degree of health and vigor has been in- 
fused into this breed which, I feel assured, is not surpassed, if indeed it is 
equaled, in any other.- So great is their tendency to take on flesh and fat. 
that ewes which lose their lambs not un frequently become, on grass 
alone, too fat to breed; and in several instances I have seen fully three 
inches of fat on the ribs, after being dressed for mutton, though fed on 
grass only. 

As to their prolific character, native ewes, under favorable circum- 
stances, very frequently, if not most commonly, have twins, and being 
good nurses, generally raise them well. Notwithstanding the accidents 
to which they are liabl'e in the absence of a regular shepherd, and despite 
the rigors of winter endured without shelter, I have often, when the flock 
of this breed of sheep was smaller than at present, raised one-third more 
lambs than there were ewes, and have rarely failed to raise as many 
lambs as ewes even under unfavorable circumstances. 

As it is not desirable, for many reasons, that sheep should have the size 
of bullocks, other valuable qualities have not been sacrificed to obtain a 
large carcass alone. Perhaps they are now fully as large as is compati- 
ble with that activity of habit which is indispensable to a breed which 
shall come into general use in the West and South. Larger and less ac- 
tive animals will always be more liable to the sheep-bot, and to the dep- 
redations of dogs, their flesh will be less captivating both to the eye and 
to the palate, and the animals will be less capable of roaming in quest of 
food and water over laj-ge pastures and prairies. 

None of these sheep have ever been fully fatted, and their weights care- 
fully noted, within my knowledge; but a few years since, I sold sixteen 
wethers of this breed to a sheep-dealer and farmer, at fifteen dollars per 
head, and he wrote me: "I sold them at twenty-five dollars per head, 
and the person I sold them to did well with them. They took the pre- 
mium over a fine lot of Cotswold wethers. I consider them better than 
the Cotswold for mutton and wool, and think they feed more kindly than 
any sheep I ever saw. They were pronounced by all, the best sheep in 
the market." I extract from my sheep register the following weights of 
some of them taken in the month of August : A yearling ram, 174 pounds; 
a two year old ram never shorn, 224 pounds; a grown ewe, 162 pounds; 
a ewe lamb, 114 pounds; all weighed off of grass, without extra keeping 
of any kind. 



[280] 



WEIGHT AND CHARACTER OF THEIR FLEECES. 

The fleeces of these sheep vary from eight to fifteen, and in one instance 
seventeen and a half pounds, the whole flock of over one hundred breed- 
ing ewes having averaged over eight pounds of merchantable wool, free 
from burs, tags, etc.; and though not washed on the sheep's back, still 
clean enough for domestic manufacture. Though the fleeces of these 
sheep (like those of all other breeds) are not perfectly uniform as to 
length, thickness, and fineness of fibre, still there is a general uniformity, 
and the diversity is of no practical disadvantage. Their wool is longer 
than that of any sheep, except those of the Cotswold family, and is equal 
in length to that of many individuals of that family, while it greatly ex- 
cels the wool of the Cotswold in fineness and softness of fibre, and in the 
number of fibres to the square inch on the sheep's back. In some indi- 
viduals it is wavy or curly, but it is never harsh or wiry. Except the 
face and the legs below the knees, the whole body is covered with a close ' 
and compact fleece, which, when full grown, leaves no open line on the 
back, as witli the Cotswold, but gives a perfect protection to the sheep, 
and causes them to present a smooth, handsome, and portly appearance. 
Their fleeces have enough of grease and gum to preserve the softness and 
vitality of the fibres, even to their ends, but not so much as to give the 
sheep a dark and dirty appearance. Their wool receives domestic dyes 
without any washing whatever, is easily cleaned on the sheep's back, and 
when it is washed in soft water, with soap, it readily becomes very white, 
receives chemical dyes, and preserves its lustre perfectly. It has gener- 
ally commanded from three to five cents per pound more than anj' other 
best combing wool in the markets of the vicinity; and I desire to refer to 
the opinions of several extensive and intelligent manufacturers who have 
bought it frequently. Mr. L. C. Stedman, of Georgetown, says: "As re- 
gards the wool of your sheep, I think very highly of it, being strong and 
well adapted to our use for domestic purposes; cards and spins well, and 
makes a good strong fabric." Mr. J. W. Martin, of Midway, says: "It is 
in all respects superior wool, and peculiarly adapted to the manufacture 
of jeans and linseys, and we have paid more per pound for it than for any 
other wool." Mr. S. L. Brownell (an extensive and experienced manu- 
facturer of Louisville) says: "I noticed particularly its working qualities, 
and believe that no cross of wool could be effected that would improve 
its working character. It seems to have length, strength, and texture, 
and at the same time firmness, fineness, and softness of staple, which 
render it peculiarly adapted to Southern and Western manufacture and 
wear." 

Mr. .Joseph Gorbut, of Woodford county, says: "I can and do with 
pleasure say, that we prefer the wool of your 'Improved Kentucky' sheep 
to that of any other we have ever used. When we take into consideration 
the fineness of the texture, the length and evenness of the staple, the 



[281] 

weight of the fleece, its clearness of gum (losing less in scouring than any- 
other of any\ind), we can say that we prefer the wool purchased of you 
to any other we use; and in consequence have for years recommended 
our customers to. supply themselves Avith your 'Improved Kentucky' 
sheep." 



LETTER FROM HENRY STEWART. 

Author of "The Shepherd's Manual." 

A gentleman of prominence, residing in Nashville, has 
for several years been studying the capabilities of the moun- 
tainous regions of East Tennessee with a view of ultimate- 
ly engaging in sheep husbandry there should his investiga- 
tions prove satisfactory. He recently addressed a letter to 
Mr. Henry Stewart, asking for some specific directions as 
to the management and care of a flock in that region. Mr. 
Stewart replied at some length, and his suggestions are so 
practical that the gentleman has kindly placed the letter at 
ray disposal, which I subjoin, believing that the informa- 
tion contained therein will be of benefit to those contem- 
plating going into sheep raising in the mountainous regions : 

Westavood, N. J., Feb. 28, 1880. 

My Dear Sir — I have to apologize for keeping you waiting so long, but 
I have been so busy the past week or two that T have scarcely known how 
to turn around. So many people write me on similar subjects, and my 
editorial duties, together with my farm here, on to which I have removed 
the past week, keep me going day and night. 

I have given your letter close consideration, and reply in detail as you 
request. I know of no better sheep country in the world than the one 
you refer to. The Western plains are excellent, but my flock of over 
5,000, which I have there now, requires about 400 square miles of range 
to feed on. On the contrary I have seen tracts of pasturage in East Ten- 



[282] 

iiessee and Western North Carolina, on the table lands, that will feed two 
or three sheep to the acre by keeping a winter pasture of bfce or native 
grasses untouched from August for the flock. The soil, water and cli- 
mate are all that can be wished, and if yon proceed with caution, and at 
first get experience, and don'i hope to make money the first year, I have 
no doubt of your success. Your plan is sound, and I am sure you have, 
as you say, studied my little book with profit. I would get 100 or 200- 
native ewes, pick out those with neat heads, deep flanks, the broadst backs, 
shortest necks, and not too leggy. These will be easy feeders, and more 
gentle to control than the deer-legged and thin-backed ones, which are 
restless creatures. You can as easily manage 200 as 100, and the expense 
of management will be halved. If you can find any with brown or 
spotted faces, choose those, and take ewes with fleeces free from coarse 
hair on their buttocks and shoulders. These are apt to convey a bad 
quality of wool to the lambs ; these hairs are called '• kemp," and depre- 
ciate the price of the wool, being also hard to breed out. You should 
have a good man to help you, but you will probably be able to pick up a 
boy cheaply near you who is accustomed to keeping his father's flock, and 
will be more apt and less fussy than an English shepherd. These require 
two or three years to lose old notions and take on our ways, and are very 
obstinate besides. I have a Pennsylvania man with my flock in Kansas, 
whom I trained in this way when living in Pennsylvania some years ago, 
and he is now able to go along alone, working my flock on shares. You 
should not have lambs until the weather is warm, and there is good grass. 
April would perhaps be the best time, but you could do an excellent busi- 
ness in raising early lambs for Washington market possibly by having 
some come in February, or sooner even. All that you would need 
would be some cheap shed and a yard for shelter for the dams. I 
will gladly post you on this subject when you wish. You are near enough 
to markets to raise mutton and wool both, and a half-bred Merino is not a 
bad mutton either. 

The run now is for combing wool, that is Merino wool three inches or 
two and a half in length, for manufacturers have begun to comb even 
Merino wool, and the half-bred is called delaine wool, and brings the 
highest price in the market Choose rams with wool three inches long 
when spread out, fine and well curled, and with plenty of yolk, but not 
too much wrinkled, also with deep sides, and with wool on the legs and 
bellies, also on the heads and faces. The weight should be be at least 120 
pounds. These are now the profitable kind. The CockriUs should be 
able to furnish you with these. When you get fully into your business, 
you can pick out such a ram as you would like. 

All the shelter you will want is a few rough sheds to preserve from 
rain and snow. A piece of woodland with serve-pole and thatched sheds, 
that you and your man can make, will be amply sufficient. It would be 
safe, and perhaps necessary, to grow about one bushel of corn per head 



[283 ] 

for your flock, and get in about fifty or one hundred pounds of hay per 
head as well, in stacks near where you keep the sheep. A run in a corn 
stubble with hulf a pint of corn (one ear) for each sheep per dav, and 
some hay ought to keep them in good order. But you can get a fine win- 
ter pasture by seeding down some open sheltered woodland with orchard 
and blue graps, one-half bushel of each per acre. Cut the hay in June^ 
and let it grow up without feeding until other ground is bare. The sheep 
may go into green grass to their bellies in this way in November and 
later, and feed well until spring. They will even get enough feed wlien 
grass is covered with snow by pawing the grass clear for themselves. The 
corn and hay are only for emergencies, but I would feed half a pint of 
corn anyhow ; you will get it back in the wool. 

Success in sheep-keeping is gained by constant observation, and the in- 
stant reparation of any thing that is going wrong. The chief things to 
avoid are damp pastures, stagnant water, banks of streams, too much 
shelter; and the chief needs are pure spring water, dry soil, and pure, 
fresh, cool air. With these requisites and protection from dogs (a shot- 
gun and a bottle of strychnine, quietly used where it will do the most good, 
will do for the dogs), you should succeed without doubt, and if even you 
fail wholly the first year, it will be the way to success the next. Increase 
the flock cautiously; buy young ewes with good teeth and good fleeces; use 
very few medicines, give salt regularly ; don't coddle lllmbs or ewes ; make 
them tame and friendly with you, so that they will follow you and put 
their noses in your hands, and you can do any thing with them. 

" The good shepherd loves his sheep, and they follow him ; " this is 
true now as ever. Lastly, don't invest more than a fourth of your capital 
to begin with, salt away the balance, and the second year begin to use it, 
as you can see clearly to do so. 

If any points need further elucidation, write again. In this business 
any time is good to begin. If you begin in the fall you have to buy feed; 
if in the spring you can raise it. 



[284] 



WOOL AND MUTTON. 

Mr. James Geddes, of New York, has recently written 
the following interesting communicatioB, which we find 
going the rounds of the press. There are many facts de- 
tailed in this letter to which our farmers may wish to refer 
in the future : 

In 1836 our production of wool was 12,000,000 pounds; in 1860 it had 
increased to 60,000,000. The extra demand for cloth occasioned by the 
war, and the protective tariff, so stimulated this industry that, according 
to the estimates made at Washington in 1867, the annual production had 
risen to §147,000,000 pounds, and in 1877 to 208,000,000, that is from 1860 
to 1877, inclusive, the increase was at the rate of 246 per cent., while in 
the preceding twenty-four years, the increase was about 40 per cent. Since 
1836 the number of sheep in the old States has constantly declined, and 
they have now less than one-half the number they had then. The in- 
crease in the new States and Territories has compensated for this. In 
1862 Hollister & Dibbles took 400 pure Mercer ewes to California ; since 
then the production^of wool in that State has reached 54,000,000 pounds 
in one year. Texas, which in 1845 had only native Mexican sheep, by 
infusing Merino blood, has raised its flocks until they number 4,000,000 
of animals producing wool, much of it equaling the wool of Ohio. The 
traditional Southern hatred of sheep, as expressed by John Randolph, 
must be dying out when such men as Alexander H. Stephens and Senator 
Gordon, have embarked in the business of wool growing. 

Since 1809 our improvement in the sheep that produce clothing (fine) 
wool has been very great. Then Qi- per cent, of unwashed wool to the 
live weight of the animal was the standard ; in 1865 the best recorded 
yield was 21 per cent., and the heaviest fleece 27 pounds. Three rams 
bred since 1873 in Vermont have yielded fleeces averaging 26.3 per cent, 
of unwashed wool, while the average weight of the fleeces was 34J pounds. 
The fineness of the fibre equalled that of the Saxon super-electa. Breed- 
ers of Australia and South America are importing these animals to im- 
prove their flocks. The Secretary of the National Wool Growers' Asso- 
ciation has lately taken 200 of our sheep to Japan for the government of 
that country. We have made equal progress in the production of long- 
combing wool, or mutton-sheep husbandry. In 1860 a very little long- 
combing wool was rai,sed in Kentucky and Maryland, but the proprietors 
of our worsted mills had to go away from home, chiefly to Canada, for 
2,500,000 to 3,500,000 pounds annually, the impression then being general 
that the.se wools could not be grown in this country. Now Ohio, Penn- 
sylvania, Michigan, Maine and other States are producing, it is estimated, 



[285] 

10,000,000 pounds annually— equal in quality to the best English wool. 
Wool yielded by cross-bred Merino and mutton sheep is held by the man- 
ufacturer to be of great value, producing a combing wool that gives soft- 
ness and cloth-like character to our fabrics not found in those abroad, as 
admitted by the best London and Paris tailors. 

We are now raising good mutton and supplying a rapidly increasing 
market. In 1839, on the great market day before Christmas, 400 sheep 
fully stocked the market at Brighton, near Boston, Mass. Last year 
272,000 sheep and lambs were slaughtered at the Brighton Abattoir, 
20,000 of them coming from Kentucky. This wonderful advance in the 
production of mutton and wool in the last twenty years has grown out of 
the war and a protective tariff. Mr. McKean, in his address at the an- 
nual banquet in Philadelphia last fall, of the National Wool-Growers' 
Association (to whose latest Bulletin I cheerfully acknowledge obligation 
for most of the figures of this article), answered the question, "What 
does the wool come to?" by saying that the annual product of the wool 
manufacture of the United States is estimated by Mr. Lorin Blodget as 
follows : 

The six New England States $127,500,000 

New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware 98,340,000 

Twelve Western States and Utah 41,200,000 

Twelve Southern States • - 8,830,000 

Colorado, Oregon and Washinton Territory 7,250,000 

Total • $284,120,000 

Capital employed by manufacturers he estimates at near $300,000,000, 
giving work to nearly 200,000 persons, " for it is not alone the mill hands, 
but the workmen who make the repairs and renew all the machinery, the 
miners who get out the hundreds of thousands of tons of coal for the 
engines, the teamsters and railway men who carry the wool to the mills 
and the manufactured goods to the market, and the farmers and farm 
hands and herdsmen who raise and tend the sheep and clip the wool- 
There is no end to the ramifications." He goes on to say : " In nearly all 
staple goods for wearing apparel our mills are abreast of any in the 
world ; "the exceptions are the foreign goods, which some wealthy people 
still have a weakness for— like the family that bought a beautiful Ax- 
minster carpet under the impression that it was a French moquette. It 
was a great pet and pride in their house until they saw its mate at the 
Centennial among American carpets; then tliey were disgusted. Their 
beautiful French moquette had been made at Smith's mills, at Yonkers, 
where they weave as much Axminster every year as they do in all France, 
and more than they do in Great Britain." 

The improvement of American machinery for manufacturing wool into 
the most desirable fabrics deserves attention. The power looms that now 



[286] 

weave carpets had no existence when Mr. Bigelow first entered upon his 
career as an inventor; only plain fabrics, of comparatively simple figures, 
were woven on power looms, and " he put in operation the first successful 
power loom known in the industrial art of weaving coach-lace, wire-cloth, 
ingrain carpets, tapestry carpets, Brussels and Wilton carpets, and silk 
brocatel." On the latest of his looms one operative has woven 73 yards 
of Brussels carpet in ten hours, and 50 yards is an ordinary day's work. 
On hand looms the weaving of brocatel costs in Lyons 60 cents per yard ; 
on power looms in Connecticut it costs but 15 cents. 

The cheapening of carpets by the inventions of Americans may be 
stated as follows : 

"By the power loom one woman in a given time will weave as many 
yards of ingrain as four men by hand ; as many yards of tapestry as six 
men by hand loom ; and as many yards of Brussels carpeting as ten men 
and ten boys by the hand loom." 

The result of these and other improvements in machinery is a great 
iall in prices as well as improvement in quality. By the books of lead- 
ing mills it appears that in ingrain carpets " prices of 1879 are 12J per 
cent, less than in 1860, higher prices for labor then being paid in 1879 than 
in 1860, the prices for wool being about the same. In dress goods the 
prices have fallen off' 25 per cent." John and James Dobson, of Phila- 
delphia, manufacture 30,000 pounds of wool every working day, and 
Philadelphia has become the largest wool manufacturing city in the 
world. Eighty per cent, of the wool now manufactured in this country 
is produced by our own flocks, and soon we will produce a full supply, 
and ere long export wool, if the present tariff laws are imaltered. The 
importation of wool in the form of manufactured goods is rapidly falling 
ofi". In 1860 our importation amounted to $37,973,190. In 1878, our 
population having increased not less than. 12,000,000, we imported only 
$25,230,154. In certain classes this falling off of importations is very 
marked. In carpets the importation in 1878 was not one-fourteenth the 
value of the importations of 1872. Dress goods,- in which the foreigners 
still lead our manufacturers in the estimation of certain wealthy con- 
sumers, are no longer imported as extensively as formerly, their value 
having fallen in 1878 to $12,000,000 from $20,000,000 in 1872. 

In December, 1865, the now famous joint convention of wool-growers 
and wool-manufacturers was held in Syracuse, N. Y. There and then 
these two great industries, that before had been antagonistic, learned that 
they had common interests, and that neither could prosper at the expense 
of the other. The wool-grower must have a market at home, and the 
wool-manufacturer must have a home-grown supply to depend upon in 
case of a foreign war or any other cause cutting off a supply. Since that 
time these industries have acted in concert, and have been heard in Con- 
.gress, and thus far have been able to prevent hostile legislation. The 
wonderful progress made, to the great benefit of the whole nation, is be- 



[287] 

fore us, and our flock owners having surmounted the difficulties of changing 
the native flocks of Tennessee into producers of long wool and mutton, 
we look forward to profitable production of wool, combined with mutton, 
in Tennessee, as has long been the case in England, and abundant re- 
wards to the owners of flocks of fine-wooled sheep in their new homes. 



RAMBOUII.LET SHEEP IN FRANCE. 

In a most interesting address delivered 24th of March, 
1880, in Rochester, New York, by Mr. Markham, Presi- 
dent of the New York State Sheep Breeders' and Wool 
Growers' Association, detailing what objects of interest to 
sheep-breeders he saw in a trip around the world, I find the 
following reference to the Rambouillet flock of France, 
which is a translation of thirty- one answers in French to as 
many questions propounded by Mr. Markham. 

RAMBOUILI.ET, February 4th, 1880. 

Sir — I have the honor to give you below replies to the thirty-one ques- 
tions addressed to me in your letter of the 29th of January last. 

1. The Eambouillet flock was established in 1776. 

2 and 3. At the beginning it was composed of forty-two bucks and 
three hundred and thirty-four ewes. 

4. These animals were taken from ten of the best Spanish sheepfolds, 
according to the recommendation of the king of Spain himself, and were 
chosen from among elite subjects. 

5. The weights of the unsheared bucks were approximately 110 to 120 
pounds. 

6. That of the ewes, also unsheared, was about 72.5 to 88 pounds. 

7. The fleece of the bucks weighed about 8.8 pounds. 

8. That of the ewes was about 7.7. 

9. According to samples which form the collection of the sheepfold, 
the wool of the bucks had a length of 55 millimetres 9-10 (2.2 inches) ; 
this measure taken upon the fibre in a state of nature, i. e., not stretched, 



[288] 

in such a way as to destroy the sinuosities or undulations. The crimp of 
the wool had 15.3 undulations per centimeter (39.25 per inch), and in hun- 
dredths of millimetres, 2.16 diameter (1-1175 inch). Wool of the ewes 
had 52.7 millimeters (2.07 inches) length of fibre, 39.8 crimps per inch? 
2.06 mm. (1-1235 inch) diameter. 

10. In 1802 a new importation was made from Spain to Rambouilletr 
numbering six bucks and forty ewes, as subjects for experiment, and as 
terms of comparison with animals resulting from the first importation. 
They were found inferior, and they do not appear to have been kept very 
long. 

[Note. — For the dates of 1860 and 1880 T shall substitute respectively 
1867 and 1878 — these of our last two universal expositions — because in a 
report to the minister I was called upon to make a comparison of the flocks 
of these two epochs. This report will furnish me some precise figures upon 
which I shall comment when indicating what may have been the condition 
at the dates you mention.] 

IN 1867. 

11. The bucks weighed, with their fleece, 192.5 pounds. 

12. And the ewes 135.3 pounds, also with fleece included. 

13 and 14. The fleece of the bucks weighed in grease 11.77 pounds? 
that of the ewes 9.13 pounds. In 1860 the animals must have been heavier 
and the fleeces of less weight. 

In 1860 the lengths of fibre for the bucks was 2.29 inches, the crimp had 
41 undulations per inch, and the diameter 1-1159 inch. For the ewes 
these were respectively : length of fibre, 2.2 ; 45 undulations per inch and 
1-1198 inch diameter. 

16. From 1840 the object was to produce Merinos of which the animals 
were at the same time valuable for slaughtering and for the production of 
wool. The fleece ceased to be the entirely predominating consideration 
in the choice reproducing animals. The chief end was plump and well 
developed forms, and by a rich regime, animals were obtained, about 1850, 
having very large weight, but which were very exacting and less robust, 
and the fleece of which was not in relation with this weight, either as to 
quantity or quality of wool. 

17. The end in view the mutton, had almost destroyed the folds, which, 
with the exception of a few subjects, scarcely comprised more than those 
of the neck, and the result was to diminish the value of the animals in the 
eyes of foreigners. Shortly after 1850 these errors were renounced and ef- 
forts were made to bring the flock back to its true and ancient type, by 
making choice more with regard to wool and repudiating the exaggeration 
of development in the choice of reproducing animals, and the superabun- 
dant and onerous feeding that had been practiced to attain this end. The 
Negretti type again acquired importance and the folds they bore were no 
longer excluded, but sought after rather as characteristics essential to ani- 



[289] " 

mals furnishing the richest fleeces, and corresponding better with the de- 
sire of foreigners, who came to Rambouillet to seek reproducing animals. 
It was especially since 1P67 that the improvement of the flock has realized 
marked piogress with regard to production of wool, and a return to their 
primitive aptitude to live exclusively on pasture and to support intemper- 
ate conditions, and the privations resulting from dry seasons and the nat- 
ural aridity of pasturage. 

IN 1878. 

18. The weight of the bucks with their wool was 159.06 pounds. 

19. That of the ewes' with their wool was 115.17 pounds. 

20. The bucks give annually a fleece of 16.7 pounds. 

21. The ewes annually give of wool 11.04 pounds. 

22. The fibre from the bucks had a length of 2.6 inches ; the crimp of 
the wool had 39.26 undulations per inch, and the diameter was 1-1076 
inch. 

For the ewes the length of fibre was 2.33 inches; the crimp had 45.76 
undulations per inch, and the diameter was 1-1245 inch. 

23. A Merino for countries where the production of wool is the princi- 
pal end in view should have folds rather numerous than large about the 
neck, one fold of horse-shoe form about the tail and a few only on the 
body. If some countries reject animals with folds, it is said to be because 
of the scab which occurs there, the seeds of which find lodgment and ul- 
cers which form between them. 

24. In France there exists an erroneous desire to secure very plump 
Merinos, without folds, which on this account are very exacting. Euro- 
pean countries ordinarily attach importance to large Merinos having a 
moderate number of these folds. The Cape of Good Hope seeks good form 
and few or no folds. The same is true of Australia. South America de- 
mands folds above all, and prefers animals of average form, and the same 
is true for North America. I generally find that it is wrong to prefer a 
large animal to a small one. Merinos being destined to live upon pastur- 
age, if they have a reduced form they are more easily and more surely 
satisfied in the countries to which they are transported. If its develop- 
ment is inferior as compared with the richness of the pasture it will find 
in abundance, it will enlarge, will naturally progress, will be profitable, 
and will be exposed to no miscalculation ; while if, on the other hand, 
those of too large form be chosen they will be exposed to the chances of in- 
ability of being satisfied by the resources at their disposition, they will de- 
cline, be subject to dangers, give place to deception and be a cause of loss. 
I submit in principle that upon a given extent of pasturage it is impossi- 
ble to maintain quite as great a weight of animal by adopting subjects of 
small form, as in taking the large types, and no one can contest that small 
Merinos in larger number, making together the same weight as the larger 
ones, will furnish more of wool each year and less of losses. 

19 



t 290 ] 

Sheep giving large and heavy fleeces are every where in demand ; but 
the mistake is sometimes made of attaching importance simply to the ab- 
solute weight of the fleece, making no comparison between the weight of 
the wool and that of the animal. It is thus that some persons who seek 
Merinos even with reference to wool alone, prefer a buck of (120 kilos) 264 
pounds, giving (8 kilos) 17.6 pounds of wool to another of (60 kilos) 132 
ponnds, which furnishds a fleece of (7,5 kilos) 16.5 pounds, saying that the 
first gives more wool than the second, taking no account of the respective 
weights of the subjects. 

I have always combatted and shall always combat such reasoning, be- 
cause a Merino of 60 kilos 132 pounds, with its 16.5 pounds of wool, is far 
superior to that of 264 pounds with a fleece of 17.6. In fact, in pasture, 
two small Merinos of 132 pounds will live easily upon the space required 
by a single buck of 264 pounds, and they will give 15 kilos (33 pounds) 
of wool each year against 17.6 furnished by the large buck. 

Let us also consider the sheep at Eambouillet according to the quan- 
tity of wool they give each year for 100 of their weight, and we would 
say that, according to the preceding hypothesis. Merinos of 60 kilos (132 
pounds) furnished 12.5 per cent, of wool, while the large sheep of 120 
kilos (264 pounds) gave but 6.66 per cent. This latter is therefore infe- 
rior to the other with the special regard in question. 

I profess the opinion that a Merino, strong and well constituted, with 
large, short legs, head also large and short, and body low, with proper 
ancestors, can scarcely ever be too small, because the smaller the subjects 
the more hardy they will be, and the more wool they will give in propor- 
tion to their weight. 

Another advantage of small Merinos is that they are more fertile and 
are longer lived. They are better adapted to multiplication and the crea- 
tion of flocks. Importance is given and will always be given to the length 
of the wool. However, this coniideration is now of less importance since 
it is now possible to comb relatively short wools. 

Fine wool is also always sought after; but extreme fineness does not 
outweigh all other considerations, since it has become possible to spin fine 
with average wools. And since extreme fineness excludes abundance of 
fleece, a heavy fleece of strong wool and average fineness is preferred. 

25. As a general rule we avoid giving a ewe a buck of near relation. 
By near relation I mean the father and his daughter, the mother and her 
son, the brother and sister. 

But if exceptional qualities to be perpetuated are found in a pale and 
female of these relations, we should not hesitate to couple them if we 
failed to find in non-relatives the same suitability (convenauce); for con- 
sanguinity is not to be avoided except in case of individuals having a 
constitutional vice common to the family. 



[291] 

26. Purchasers of our wool (and they have no interest in exaggerating 
the yield) declare that the fleece comprising the whole of the wool (body, 
belly, legs, head, etc.) yield, according to the year, 30 to 33 per cent, of 

, white scoured wool. This is the same proportion as when the animals 
arrived from Spain in 1786. 

27. Very much folded animals which furnish a super-abundance of 
wool are sometimes weakened in their constitution and appear as though 
exhausted by this exaggerated production of wool. Our shepherd, in 
such case, says the wool eats them la lime les mange. 

But apart from these -very exceptional cases, and which never represent 
one per cent., the folded animals are very hardy, very resistant, and are 
capable of supporting privation. 

On the whole, they are less finely formed than sheep without folds ; 
they are more angular, are less developed, less plump ; but when the meat 
is no consideration these characteristics should not be considered as de- 
fects, but the opposite. 

28. Folds on sheep imply closer, more settled wool, fibres closer to each 
other and stronger, and indicate a more abundant fleece, notwithstanding 
the wool is shorter. 

The fleece of folded animals covers all parts of the body more com- 
pletely than that of subjects without folds ;»it is better closed externally, 
that is to say, it is with more difficulty penetrated by dust, seeds, etc., 
which may annoy the animal and soil or alter the wool. 

29. Folds on Merinos are above all found about the neck, in front of 
the shoulders ; to proscribe them would, therefore, be to exclude the best 
wool producers. 

But if the folds of the neck are too large, they present an inconven- 
ience. With age, the skin of these folds becomes callosed. This change 
in the nature of the skin brings about a degeneracy of the wool, which 
then sticks to the skin (se rapproche du poil), which is an unfavorable qual- 
ity, without, however, producing a sufficient motive for the rejection of a 
buck having this peculiarity. These large folds on an animal are always 
to be regretted, and, all other qualities being equal, we prefer those which 
have only small or average-sized folds, which never cause the callosity of 
the skin, and the sort of protuberance which is the consequence thereof. 

80. In the Merino race the buck generally weighs three when the ewe 
weighs two. Supposing the animals charged with one year's wool, a 
weight of 75 kilos (165 pounds) for the buck, and 50 kilos (110 pounds) 
for the ewe, seem to me sufficient, if we have in view a flock destined to 
live exclusively on pasture, and to be especially devoted to the production 
of wool. 

For an arid country I would even advise confining it to 60 kilos (132 
pounds) for the buck, and 40 kilos (88 pounds) for the ewe. 



[292] 

When I advise small subjects, if wool be the special end in view, I am 
governed by statistics of the flock covering twelve years. In dividing the 
animals into five categories according to weight, I have observed that the 
lightest give a quantity of wool equivalent to 12.38 per cent, of their 
weight; the next, 11.41; the average, 11.14; then 10.38, and finally the 
heaviest, 9.51 per cent. 

I have further found that fleeces of animals of the "average" section 
each weigh 125 grammes (275 pounds) more than those of the section 
comprising the heaviest animals. 

31. From statistics of twelve years, it follows that, on an average, of 
the 100 ewes which we cause to be " served," it is found that 83 1-10 be- 
come with lamb (pregnant), and that they give, including twins, ninety- 
two lambs. 

I shall stop, sir, believing I have answered each of your questions. If 
I have badly comprehended your requests, and made omissions, I beg 
that you will call my attention thereto in order that I may repair the de- 
fects, in my replies. I have been pleased with the impression which your 
visit to our flock produced, and it is an inducement for us to persevere in 
the way we have followed for some time. 

I beg you to accept, sir, with my thanks, my respectful and devoted 
homage. - The director, Beenaedin. 



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[294] 

The United States Economist, of recent date, says : 

There never was a time at this period of the year when stocks of do- 
mestic fleece and pulled wools were sold up as clean in all markets, and 
were it not for the large quantities coming from all foreign countries it is 
fair to conclude that prices would have ere this risen to exalted figures. 
Prices are advancing in the markets abroad for all classes of wools adapt- 
ed to our necessities, in consequence of the large demand for this country* 
and it is getting more difficult every day to obtain the grades of wool we 
require, unless at prices which will materially enhance the cost of the 
scoured pound. There is no safety left manufacturers but to diversify 
production (if a modification of the wool tariff" is not reached), because it 
is now clear that any class of fine wool when scoured will cost from 80c. 
to $1,15 this season, while last year mannfacturers were enabled to pur- 
chase the bulk of supplies at from 40c, to 75c. scoured. The cause of this 
enormous advance is founded on demand and supply. We do not grow 
sufficient wool for the wants of manufacturers, and the result is seen in 
the sharp competition to obtain the necessary supplies adapted to the 
wants of our woolen mills. 



INDEX. 



PAGR 

Abel, First Shepherd 8 

Adaptability of Tennessee 5 

Adaptability for Sheep 31 

Advantages of Tennessee 21 

Advantages of Sheep Culture. ..204 

Africa, Sheep Growing 22 

Allman, Geo. T., Letter 262 

America, Sheep Growing 22 

Analysis of Excrement 77 

Analysis of Food 98 

Angora Goat 208 

Anatomy of Sheep 157 

Answers to Circulars 178 

Appendix 247 

Argonauts 11 

Australia 23 

B 

Bakewell Sheep 115 

Baling Wool 205 

Banffshire Sheep 62 

Barns 53 

Barns, Yards 91 

Barns, Number of Sheep in 95 

Basin, Silurian 42 

Bedding for Sheep 96 

Beets for Food 101 

Beets, Cultivation and yield 104 

Beggars' Lice ; 79 

Bessarabia 24 

Beunos Ayres 24 

Blood, its Composition 76 

Bogs, unfit 33 

20 



PAGR 

Bones, Size of 76 

Book Farming, value of 202 

Breeding Sheep 14 

Breeding, In-and-in 55, 63 

Breed, Best 135 

Breeds, Favorite 29 

Breeds to Mix 59 

Breeds to Convert 61 

Breeds, Popular 114 

Broom Grass 40 

Bucks, Angora 232 

Bucks 49 

Bucks, too young 58 

Bucks, When to Separate 51 

Bucks, Number of Ewes to... 131, 7 
Butter from Sheep 8 

C 

Calycanthus 79 

Carcass 136 

Carpets 175 

Carter County 33 

Castration 75 

Cedars, a Protection 89 

Census 30 

Cheap Lands 38 

Cheese from Sheep 7 

Circulars 28 

Climates 32 

Cockrill, Mark E 21 

Competition 24 

Conclusion 202 

Confinement, Injurious 107 



[ 298] 



PAGE 

Consumption of Mutton and 

Wool 25 

Corn as a Food 97 

Cost 28 

Cost of Feeding 42 

Cost of Eaising 177 

Cotswold Sheep 115 

Countries best Adapted to 18 

Crosses 34 

Crossing, best 46 

Crosses, Breeds 45 

Crosses, five to purify blood 64 

Crutchfield, Tom, Opinion 37 

Crutchfield, Tom, Advance 

Sheets 247 

Crutchfield, Tom, Letter 253 

Cud 158 

Culling flocks 137 

Cumberland Mountains for 
Sheep , 18 

r> 

Darwin on Sheep 34 

David, King, a Shepherd 9 

Davis, Dr. J. B., Letter 209 

Dedication 3 

Degeneration 133 

Deihl, Israel S., Letter 239 

Demand for Sheep 15 

Diseases of Goats 216 

Diseases of Sheep 157 

Diseases unknown here 180 

Diversity of Sheep 6 

Divisions of Flock 80 

Docking 74 

Dogs 20 

Dogs, efiects Injurious to Indus- 
try 29 

Dogs, effects on Fattening Sheep.106 

Dog Law 149 

Dogs, Shepherd 150 

Dogs, How to Train 150 

Dogs, Answers to Correspond- 
ents 152 



I PaUR 

Dropping time 50 

Dropping, When liest 93 

E 

East Tennessee 38 

Economist, U. S. Circular 294 

England 12 

Epidemics 23 

Europe 22 

Ewes for Lambs 48 

Ewes for Breeders 52 

Ewes for Suckling 54 

Ewes, best 140 

Excrements 77 

Exemptions from Executions. ..207 
Exportations 12 

DP 

Factories 178 

Farms, Sheep 68 

Fattening for Mutton 102 

Fattening for Market 107 

Fattening for New York 108 

Feeding Stock Sheep 14 

Feet, Diseases of 167 

Felting 170 

Fences, Good 70 

Fences, Portable 84 

Fibre, Wool 148 

Fleece 7 

Flesh 76 

Flocks, to perfect 58 

Folds....' 70 

Food 6 

Food, varieties necessary 40 

Food, Winter 40 

Foster, J. W., Letter 263 

G 

Garget 55 

Geddes, James, Letter 284 

Gestation 48 

Gibson, Capt. Thomas ....134 

Goats, Angora 208 



[ 299 J 



PAGE 

Goals, Breeding 211 

Goat Breeding in Tennessee 229 

Goat Breeding, at ^vhat age 225 

Goats, Breaehy 228 

Goats, Crossing 219 

Goats, Description 214 

Goats, Diseases 216 

Goats, Fleece 239 

Goats, Gestation 215 

Goats, History of ' 212 

Goats, Importation 213 

Goats, Pelts 225 

Goats, Products 220 

Goats, Skins 217 

Goats, Wool 218 

Golden Fleece 11 

Grades 131 

Grasses best adapted to Sheep ... 32 

Greece 11 

Green Food 106 

Green Soiling 81 

Growing Interest 29 

Gutters nseful in Sheds 93 

Heat 31 

Herbage 78 

Herd's-grass 41 

Hughes & Konald, Circular 241 

Hungary 23 

Hurdles 84 

I 

Imports of Wool 26 

Improvements in Sheep 9 

Improvements in Husbandry 13 

Impurities in Wool 173 

Increase of Sheep 25 

Inducements, to engage in 112 

Intestines 159 

Isothemus 36 

J 

Jacob's Kuse 8 

Japan Clover 4 



PAGE 

Job, a Sheep ovmer 9 

Johnson County 33 

Jones, D. K, Letter 261 

It 

Kentucky, Sheep Growing 174 

Kentucky Sheep 274 

Knoxville 36 

Lambs disowned... 53 

Lambs, Driving injurious 67 

Lambs, Profits of Early 66 

Lambs, Sales 43 

Lambs, Spring 51 

Lambs, Treatment 53 

Lambs, Value 5 

Laurel, a Poison 206 

Leicester Sheep 115, 273 

Limits of Sheep Raising 28 

Location 136 

Lofts, useof 92 

Longevity 134 

Marking, How and when 74 

Marks, Various kinds 49 

Matlock, H.H 37 

Memorandum Book, how kept... 50 

Merino 60, 118 

Merino Earns 138 

Metamorphic Eocks, their 

effects 33 

Mexico 11, 24 

Middle Tennessee 42 

Milk, Ewe 8 

Mohair 216 

Mohair, Dealers in 222 

Mohair, Markets for 226 

Mohair, Preparation of 226 

Mohair, Value of 221, 224 

Moisture Injurious 18 

Moors 12 

Moses, his flocks 9 



L 300 ] 



Moimtains as Sheep wiilks 17 

Mustard as food 82 

Mustard, How to grow 102 

j!V 

Natives, Value of 34 

Nativity of Sheep 8 

New Yorker, Knral, Circular. ...173 

Numbers 29 

Numbers of Sheep 175 

O 

Oil Cake, its food value 95 

Overdone 25 

O \rerstockinff 46, 79 



Packing Fleeces 145 

Pagans 9 

Parsley as food 78 

Pastures 17 

Pastures, Changing 88 

Pastures, Poor 18, 79 

Pasturing, how 75 

Peas 40, 81 

Pelt rot 168 

Philips, Jos 238 

Physic 80 

Plateau 34 

Poisons 206 

Portugal 10 

Prerequisites for success 68 

Prices, average 26, 175 

Profits 12 

Profits in Tennessee 16 

Profits from Wool 19 

Profits from Mutton 43 

Profit and Loss Ill 

Protection 36 

Q 

Questions and Answers 18, 183 



1« 

PAGK 

Kacks 72, 90, 92, 96 

Raising Sheep .... 110 

Eam Changing .' 56 

Ram, Merino 138 

Rambouillet Sheep 287 

Remedies 162 

Requirements for Sheep raising.. 27 
Review of Sheep nnsbandi;y in 

Tennessee 27 

Rim Lands 40, 90 

Rise and Progress 27 

River, Tennessee 41 

Roots 99 

Rot, Lands liabl< to 164 

Russia ^..,...'^ 

Rye Pastures ,81 

Salting Sheep 73 

Scliedule Questions and An- 
swers 181 

Scott, Robt W, Letters 211, 274 

Scrubs 34 

Shawl, Cashmere 214 

Shearing Lambs and Sheep..31, 143 

Sheep, Sick, Care of 88 

Sheep, killed 179 

Sheep, Stock 97 

Sheds 87 

Sheltering 38 

Shepherds 9 

Shropshire 61 

Size and Shape 6, 135 

Skin, its structure 170 

Slopes 34, 80 

Soils 69 

Sorghum 81 

South, The, Extracts from..l53, 230 

Southdowns 60, 114, 139 

Spain 10 

Statistics 22, 177 

Steppes , 24 

Stewart, Henry, Letter .33, 281 



[ 301 ] 



PACK 

Stinting 49 

Stratton, Lorenzo 211 

Straw 99 

Strays 20 

Sumner County... 61 

T 

Table Land 18 

Tables 140 

T:.bles, Voelker & Lankester 100 

Tags .".... 73 

Tails 7 

Tarentine Sheep 1 1 

Tariff..... 176 

Teef 79 

Tern; orature "2 

T -' see 20 

Thio.. Goat 210 

Titles 38 

Troughs, Portable 87 

Turnips 52, 85, 101 

Twins, To secure. 56 

Tyrian Purple 10 

XJ 

Unaka Mountains, its grasses.... 32 

Understocking 17, 79 

United States 24 

Urine, its value 94 

Uses of Sheep 7 

Valley of East Tennessee 35 

Value of rheep 16 

Value of various breeds relative.140 

Van Goat 228 

Virginia. 33 



PAGE 

Warren County 41 

Washing Sheep 142 

Watchfulness, necessary 80 

Water Supply 80 

Weaning Lambs 65 

West Tenne.ssee 43 

Wheat as Pastures 105 

Williams, Dr. Wm 273 

Winds 90 

Winter Feeding 97 

Winter Management 89 

Wool ]'.reaks 80 

Wool, its Classification..l71, 2, 173 

Wool and Cotton 147 

Wool, The Crop of 179 

Wool, Merino 174 

Wool, its fibre 147 

Wool, Importations 293 

Wool, Shedding 89 

Wool, Shipping 146 

Wool, Structure 170 

Wool, its uses 147 

World's Fair, Tennessee Wool at 21 

Worms in Sheep 160 

Wounds 166 



Yield of Wool 42 

Yolk, its use 76 

Yolk, its composition 171 

Youatt, Work on Animals 23 

Z 

Zone, Wool, of the world 23 



SHEEP HUSBANDRY: 



A. ^WORK 



PREPARED FOR 



The Farmers of Tennessee. 



J. B. KILLEBREW, A. M., Ph. D., 

Com^mssimier of Agriculture, Statistics and Mines for the State of Tennessee. 



NASHVILLE: 
Tavel, Eastman & Howell. 

1880. 






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